i completely dropped off the wagon very near he start but i need to do it, but can i start on sunday as its ds' birthday on sat and i just dont have time to scratch my nose let alone look beautiful. promise i will start on sunday.

Restart!

let;s restart - am with you !

Just off now to do 15 minutes of damage reparation work... So tell me did the frownies work?

HELLO. Has everyone left forever? I must admit I thought I'd got gorgeous and had a wonderful, wonderful weekend at a big family party feeling stunning*, then saw the photos afterwards and felt hideous. That sent me down a self-hatred spiral, then I slapped myself last night & reminded self it's only 15 mins a day, and so I'm back.

Shall we restart? When i was doing this before i felt happier, more positive, more active, younger and sassier. The past two weeks of ugliness have taken me right back to misery!

I will restart if anyone wants to, WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh has everyone gone!

Helloooooooooooo anyone there!

I was really enjoying this thread.

This thread is so brilliant. It is informative as well as hilarious....I love it.

I am going to tackle clothes...one question, though. What does one do about the stuff I would call 'emotional clothes'-like a dress I had when I was a teenager, or the jumper I want to keep for my (not-yet-born-or-even-conceived-yet) daughter? I seem to have loads of this stuff clogging up my wardrobe.

Oh ick! I can't stand the taste of it.

What about having them 'done' - gel or similar?

Believe me I've tried them all, you just aquire a taste of the stuff I did actually grow them about two years ago and they looked beautiful. But eventually they got bitten off again.

Specially for walking - paint them with horrible tasting anti-biting stuff!

<looks down at dreadfully bitten nails and hides them>

Might give that one a miss frakkin. I MUST stop biting them!

I think that setting aside one evening a week as dedicated beauty time helps keep on track. That way you're at least maintaining and may even be inspired to keep up the good work.

Well done on throwing out old clothes ZZMum

We all need some more 5 min beauty challenges. Everyone go paint your nails and report back what colour you're wearing!

OK so after a quick burst of enthusiasm, it all fell apart and I am back looking as bad as I did at the start - how do you keep the motivation going?

Beautiful - am interested in how you're getting on with the Frownies? Are they worth getting ..

I am trying again tonight - full works in bath - facial and complete shave and body cream..

Thrown out a load of old clothes today and am going to focus on a capsule wardrobe of good stuff only so that might help me avoid the god awful outfits I have been seen out in recently!

well done to everyone else - I guess reading this thread is the motivation I need..

Me too PoshSingleMum, Im trying to get as much fruit and veg down as possible, focussing on nutrients rather than dieting (just as well with the amount of oil that I put in my stir fry tonight).

I need to put the driclor stuff on again tonight, am starting to sweat in this heat!

Am off to buy some cheap bright white tight t shirst tommorow from primark, I think bright white always looks really good, especially against (fake) tan and at only £3 a pop!

ooooooo- I wish I found this thread before!
I have banned the word diet and instead have adopted a healthy eating plan. Lots of veg, fruit, fish and lean meat. I drink water and green tea but allow myself the occasional treat to stave off boredom. Think meditteranean diet and long term health rather than short term hell.

I hope that once I sort my food out I will feel beautiful within!

Am dithering about hair and colour and style. I'm tempted to grow out highlights but will be blah in the meantime. What a cool thread beautiful!

Good on you all!!!

i haven't tried it on yet ... but i own it...

have a lovely weekend - i'm away for a last girlie weekend before we move

and my hair is fab! we like!

How does it look?

I haven't actualy been out running in my shorts yet - too hot - cough cough excuses excuses.

...and i bought a t-shirt for running today! i have plans...

i love the rocky mountain soap co. it's all made in the town where our house is, so i feel all eco <when i don't order it to be shipped by air lol> - very satisfying to pop to the shop

i couldn't do the 'real' ocm - way too lazy.

i'm having my hair done tomorrow!

Well I have bought some running shorts today, so if you hear of any earthquake activity in the East Midlands area you'll know I've been out for a jog.

mum2samandalex the ocm gave me spots too but I may not have persevered for long enough. Plus I like products too much (loved the look of the Rocky Mountain stuff Madwoman)!

I must admit to looking shockingly bad at the moment because the heat is making my 6m DS2 very very grumpy and clingy and I barely get a second to myself. So it's bare minimum only I'm afraid But I go on holiday next weekend so I MUST do something about my feet. And get my fringe trimmed.

Oh dear, have failed miserably on Davina-ing! Too hot anyway surely. Have painted toenails and shaved legs though. And been ok on food actually. Really need to get the clothes thing sorted, still cant stop wearing baggy tops, which apparently just make you look bigger but thought of something fitted is too terrifying! Although not pre baby sized by any stretch of the imagination, tummy is half size of last year (DS 18mnths) What do people wear that is not baggy frump blob or teenage crop top?

having my hair done saturday yeh at last!!! Ive painted my toe nails and painted my finger nails with clear nail polish. Havent done any exercise as such but have been doing lots of housework this week1 Ive been following the ocm method but it seems to be bringing me out in spots anyone else usinf this method.Need to start applying some fake tan next and going bed alot earlier then midnight . Been drinking loads of water though

what a good thread! will book a haircut and deal with my eyebrows.

you are still going strong! i'm doing hair tomorrow which i hope will give me a bit more impetus.

am having to spend hours on the pooter though, which is making me feel frumpy in the extreme <and giving me backache>

ho hum - the skincare routine has improved things drastically though - although i confess it has been far too hot to employ the newly purchased make-up much!

it does seem very quiet - i can only assume they are all tanning in the garden instead of out of a bottle....

Hi, hows everyone (anyone) getting on?

Tonight, I have

painted toenails
tinted eyelashes
applied veet to my nether regions
applied fake tan to legs only
have my dentist teeth whitener stuff on

Had uber healthy dinner and snacked on fruit only tonight.

And im still waiting on my blooming walking trainers arriving! Company have sent another pair though.

TheProvincialLady - Yes it hurts, seemed to hurt more than usual this time, I had tears running down my face .
I don't know if its working all that well tbh, there is some reduction, perhaps I have unrealistic expectations.
Going to have one more session on my veins then start getting the one to 'rejuvinate'.
I get my tshirt v zapped as well, too much sun exposure when I was younger has left me with little veins everywhere!

Hi all, I've also not been around much but have been quite good ... been to the gym three times a week (an all-time record for me!) doing 25 mins on treadmill and 20 mins swimming.

Bought some scales to inspire me to get back onto Weightwatchers. Been quite good - eaten lots of fruit and vegetables, rice and the odd biccy to cheer myself up. <whispers ... I am farting a lot, though>

And have joined a dating website, FFS.

Steps in the right direction, however small!

oh, swimming! <feels cool water swishing round face> golly, i'd be in there like a shot. maybe i could go tomorrow....
i'm davina-ing tomorrow duck, feel free to join in

sooooooooo. i pick the hottest day in the goddam year to do what? have a make-up lesson.

looks ok though - a bit odd because i'm not used to it, but ok. not so patchy lol! and i bought foundationy stuff, lip liner and gloss, and some blush so i don't look like they dug me up

but can someone answer me a stupid question lol... can i just do the normal oil cleansing routine tonight, or do i need to get it all off first?

<apols ducky, not terribly good at this!>

Walkingwith you MUST go swimming and I MUST go running tonight. Unless you want to swap? I don't really fancy puffing round our local park in 32 degrees I must admit!

Go swimming! I will do Davina tomorrow if it kills me.

DuckyDuck -- you're in! Yeehaw! Lovely to have you here.

Walking... You just know that you'll feel amazing after the swimming. I'd push myself to go, I think. You'll feel awesome.

I promised myself last Thursday I would start swimming every Tuesday night (ladies night), felt very up for it then, realised on way back from school today that TODAY is Tuesday and I have to find the energy to go swimming tonight, doesn't feel such a good idea now!

Ooh, can i join too? Did really well in a diet lately but started to let things slide during beach/burger/ice cream holiday and feeling rubbish again, thread v cheering that loads of people feel the same.

Beautiful, you must not starve yourself. You must eat as if you don't your body will panic and start to store any fat you have, plus any fat you eat will be stored. Little and often and less fat and it should fall off

I mentioned in an earlier post (well I think I did, if not I intended to) that I had bought some L'Oreal Wrinke-decrease serum and how fab it is. I have also now bought the wrinkle de-crease night cream and can I say my wrinkles really do look much better. They have not disappeared completely but they have reduced by at least 50%. I have really been looking after my skin lately, (mainly thanks to this thread ) and it is looking much younger. I also invested in a foundation more suited to my age (44 and it looks lovely and dewy. I feel great, keep posting I love reading these.

hello!! Sorry to be so crap, was away at w/e and couldn't post.

No updates, except DH is still blissful and has taken to calling me "Beautiful" (eek, has he busted my MN name?!) and I'm still a lot happier/calmer than before.

Have booked a BODYWRAP! that makes you lose inches! am going off my diet, have been starving myself to death but still no more weightloss. Had brief moment of joy on the scales when I was away, as I was suddenly 5lbs lighter... Turned out the scales were broken.

Will be back tomorrow with updates/new missions, etc. Have to go to bed now, am exhausted and hideous.

See you tomorrow... Please check-in! I'm getting to that "blah" stage and NEED you to keep me going.

still long - some decent layers to improve shape and neaten up the curl/frizz issue. and a few highlights a couple of shades lighter for a bit of interest (and because i can )

although today i think i might have gone for a crew cut, so just as well i had to change it lol.

make-up lesson tomorrow it's all going to slide right off

shorts is v brave! your legs are obviously not as fleshy as mine! shorts will have to wait a month or so until some tone creeps in...

Laser treatment sounds interesting lilaclaire. Does it hurt?

Yes it was a good weekend thanks madwoman. Very busy. I managed to look OK for some of it! I need to buy some running shorts because I am getting SO hot during my runs that I am beetroot faced and pouring with sweat. Not a good look.

What are you planning to do with your hair?

bumpety bump

they have all vanished! dieted to extinction? veg is good - i am taking the dcs to dreaded pizza hut tonight and will be in full-on resisting picking mode...

i had to postpone my hair appointment until friday, as a repair man couldn't do any other day.... <sigh>

but i am dieting and exercising in earnest now

pl - did you have a good w/e? lol at the blue eyeshadow

Has everyone given up? I hope not!

I had some laser treatment on my red veins on my face this morning, so no make up on (well some mascara).
Hair is done and am nicely dressed.
Diet has been a bit pear shaped, but am having lots of veg of lunch.

Still here but not looking good. It is either house or me at the moment and we have guests this weekend so I have had to stick to the basics.

And beatiful, thanks to you I spent all day Thursday looking like an absolute noggin in powder blue eyeshadow. People kept staring at me and not in a good way

hello?
<echoes>

so either i killed the thread by mentioning nbc drills and beauty in the same sentence, or y'all have had your nails done and don't want to trash them typing...

...or have come down with disastrous eye infections from using bottom-of-the-bag vintage electric blue?

...or been locked up by the fashion police?

...or are all too busy being gorgeous and collecting compliments in rl that mn has swept from memory?

anyways, have a nice weekend! we're busy busy and relocating the computer, so twill be unplugged for a few days - will check back in next week and see if anyone's surfaced!

oo, hello lurker! <waves> that would happen after i've booked mine lol!

philo, how are you post-davina? my thighs are a bit tense, and i can feel the muscles in my calves which must be a good thing! last time i made an effort with this i noticed results in about two weeks, so am reasonably motivated. putting my exercise stuff on has made me recognise that my butt is the size of a house, so i'm quite keen for it to work swiftly... tis no wonder i'm having ishoos doing up buttons at the front when all that is taking up room at the back... ho hum.

provinciallady - i'm rubbish at links, but if you're game to google you can do product porn lol.
i use the rocky mountain soap company, and i've got the transformative cleansing oil and soothing toner. this time i'm also trying the day face cream and the eye stuff (can't remember what it's called lol) as i was always confused about what to do in the morning, so thought this time i'd buy the whole lot and give it a go. two days in and my skin looks much better already - pores less noticeable and the whole effect much 'brighter' and less slithery.

i should add that normally i or dh buys the stuff in the their shop lol, which fits with their eco mindset, and i don't normally order online and get them to ship airmail but needs must etc....
<ignores carbon footprint>

i'm holding off the make-up until next week lol although suspect that even i may have owned an electric blue mascara at some point in the dim and distant... never worn it, but owned nonetheless

can anyone answer me a question which is bugging me? those bodyshop blotting papers - are they made of the same stuff that i used to use for nuclear biological and chemical decontamination drills?! (seriously!) it feels exactly the same... but obviously not as much of it lol...

OK I admit it - im a lurker but I come bearing news.....for those of you that need/want a haircut the news of the world this sunday has a mag with it in the mag is a voucher for a free haircut at a saks salon!!! if you want to know more about it read it on moneysaving expert.

Hi madwoman, ok 8.15 for Davina, count me in!

Sounds like a good shop provincial - got anywhere nice to wear them?

I have had my hair done today - it is looking pretty good...went for one of those styles that was emailed round by BEAUTIFUL a week or two ago...I keep tossing my glossy locks - cue music - like i've just stepped out of a salon. Got 3 complments from the mums on the school run on my hair and even managed to get a 'your hair looks nice' from my DH when we wre talking on skype this evening...but typing it, have just realised this is excactly the same - word for word - as his last (and only other!) compliment to me during this challenge. He needs to learn a few new lines!

AGood mission again beautiful - will go and see what lies at the bottom of my make up bag...probably electric blue mascara knowing me, am not v conscientious about clearing it out!

Apologies for typing, am rushing as need to get kids to bed before my date with Davina

Keep up the good work everyone, and let us know what you have been up to too.

Oooo madwoman I am so envious of your new products. I love products. I spend far too much on them to little effect. Do tell us what they are [product porn]

Beautiful that is a fab challenge. I am definitely going to try that tomorrow (whilst I am stuck in the house!)

I bought a pair of beige linen trousers and a cheesecloth top today (both v cheapy things) and I am really pleased with the result.

Hi all, sorry I haven't been around for a while. I find it hard to keep up with these threads!

So far I've been to the gym twice this week, two 45 minute sessions. I feel incredibly pleased with myself. Also being much better with food. I find if I can't get into nice clothes, I'm immediately depressed. So although I still can't quite swan about in 'thin clothes', I'm getting there.

Haven't worn much in the way of make up, and my eyebrows are still a mess. I'm so SKINT! Would love to investigate threading, but not sure if they do it round here. Anyway, about to have a bath, put on make up and tackle eyebrows.

Keep up the good work, it sounds like you're all doing brilliantly.

philopastry I'm afraid despite my nickname I can't bring myself to try olive oil (too, er, oily). Have bought an Elseve mask, fingers crossed it's good.

Anyway I'm having my hair cut (very overdue) at the weekend and I can't wait. I'm sure it will give me a lift.

Hi everyone!!!

Philo, I think the thing to do to get back on track is just FoRgEt you didn't! So just carry on. please don't think of it all as a big "challenge" or anything daunting, just 15 minutes' a day to push you towards gorgeousness! BTW, it all sounds like you did more than enough anyway (clothes, hair + face) so stop worrying. I don't expect any of us to spend every second of every day attacking ourselves with oils, scrubbing brushes and/or tweezers. Mmmkay?

Madwoman - shit, sorry, yes have let challenges slip. I LOVE the clothes challenge! Um, er... Oooh, I know, thought of one yesterday...

* BEAUTY MISSION! *
Do you have one of those big compacts, containing several different eye-shadows, lipsticks or blushers? I bet you do. Your mission is, find that colour that you NeVeR wear, and wear it! Just put it on, and wear it ALL DAY. If it's a darker colour, you can use it as eyeliner (smudge it on with a damp brush). Just wear it! NO ARGUING, and no going for the old-faithful colours instead. Wear it for one day & see the reaction. If you get compliments, post them here! If people instead just drag out chairs for you and tell you, concerned, that you look near death, don't wear it again.

I have just done this with a blue (!) eyeshadow that looked hideous in the compact, but turned out to be a lovely, smoky-grey colour when it went on. Made me look fekkin' stunning, so it did.

* BEAUTY MISSION ENDS *

Mum2samandalex -- Hello! Jump in!! Have you seen the challenge list near the start of the thread? How's your hair? We mainly start with getting our hair sorted as it's the fastest way to immediately perk-up our "look"!

Lemonmuffin -- I LIKE your plan to ask for beauty products instead of irons! Perfect! Birthdays should be girly, IMO.

Have been feeling sooooo much calmer and positive still, are you lot? Really, have morphed into Serene Goddess. Looking fugly must have been really getting to me. Am still being halo-tastic on my diet, and hoping for 2lbs off by tomorrow, which will be half a stone. (Still 2.5 more to go.)

Interesting update from weightloss: my PANTS are falling off! Looking forward to DH noticing this new development.

No more compliments... He is getting blase at my gorgeousness. harumph. But he is definitely a lot more affectionate -- kissing my hand! yesterday. (Maybe that is more cos I am no longer a scary screaming harridan...

Sorry for crappy message, am in middle of panic-tidying house (have been cooking all day), but HAD to check-in as you are all so lovely.

Will write more later... xxxxxx!

Hi, I found asda's own brand fake tan suprisingly good, not orange and cheap!
Welcome aboard!

oh can i join im in desperate need of a make over since ds2 17mths come along. I swear kids should carry a label will age you by 5 years! Im starting to really grey and im only 28! I ahev no time lately toeven pluck my eye borws not that i know what im doing. Ive had them waxed professionally and thought id be able to maintain it myself but no such luck. Can anyone recommend a fake tan that isnt too expensive or orange?

Yes kids and order don't go together!

Well, better crack on with my 'exercise'

lilac - i have a couple of sore spots on feet too. not from my new shoes either, but from the flat sneakery things i put on because i didn't want to wear new shoes all day housework definitely counts though

i used my lovely new skincare stuff last night, and found they had also sent free body stuff, so went to bed slathered pretty much head to toe lol.

philo - will be breaking davina out again tonight, but it won't be until about 8.15 - parent's evening for two out three tonight... (oh, and i'm v disappointed at lack of vintage banana clip...)

beeeeyooootiful - have you given up posting challenges btw? i know f did one (i couldn't play as most of my clothes are in a container on a ship somewhere lol) or are we supposed to be picking stuff from 'the list'?

i can't bring myself to do tooth strips - have a fear of them making sensitive teeth worse as i have inherited quite a high gumline (that makes me sound like a horse...)

I think housework definitely counts as exercise! At least, that's what I tell myself because I can't afford a cleaner!

And Mireille Guiliano in "French women don't get fat" says that too. I love that book, by the way, she really nurtures a love of food (quality not quantity). If you enjoy cooking and shopping for food then it's a good book although it's clear she doesn't have kids - her life is far too ordered.

Stick a face mask on while your making the breakfast, that will get you on the right track and scare the kids at the same time!

No more walking for me until these blinking walking trainers arrive, now have blisters.

Does housework count as exercise??

Provincial - it's true ,some men seem to have no sense of timing when it comes to compliments. My DH seems to like me looking dog rough - actually I think that is what has got me into this mess in the first place!

madwoman, it was not actually a 'vintage' banana clip, just one of those grippy things you get in the supermarket, still yuck but i dont want you to think I have been hording cerise plastic hair clips for 20 years!

well done on the walking lilac, you go girl!

I am having a schizophrenic day - wore a nice outfit, put make up on, blow dried hair, received compliment from v stylish mum on the school run ....but, have been a lazy so and so and spent the only 2 hours I had free today lying on my bed reading a novel (instead of beautifying me or the house) and have eaten 3 milky ways (the single ones not the double ones she says as if that makes it any better!) for my tea...am about to go and have an apple and lots of water to try and make it a bit better....

ho hum, tommorrow is another day, onwards and upwards!!

re-inspire me someone...what should I do tommorrow to get back on track?

Well ive managed to walk 6 miles today (still waiting on my walking trainers!)
Going to have a shower/exfoliate/defuzz/hair care and thats it for me.
Got a scottish slimmers book from my mum and it looks realy easy to follow, so will start that tommorow as well!

Quite right lemonmuffin!

Right, am going to put some of those whitestrips on my birthday list (it's next month so am going to ask for lots of lovely beauty products instead of being sensible and asking for housey type things like a new iron, which i usually do)

philopastry I think we must be married to the same man! My DH tends to compliment me when I am looking my absolute worst (IMO). No hope whatsoever of him noticing I had a new lipstick - that is ADVANCED complimenting Beautiful.

Naturelover I am using a Tigi shampoo and conditioner that is on offer at the moment, £11.95 for the two and you can use the conditioner as a mask as well. It is lovely stuff..it's called Headshot.

Frakkin I desperately need to do your challenge.

oh hello pl, x post

lol at banana clip - talking of beauty products past, do they still make those?

i think it's all i wore in the early kylie period...

could you do the 'leaving the conditioner in overnight' thing? i'm toying with trying it again now a couple of times a week, but slightly put off by the damp... i think someone on the 'no 'poo' thread (thanks whoever pointed that out) mentioned it... but i'm a curly/ frizzy moptop so no idea really.

i used to use those VO5 ones back in the day... i have no idea if they even still make them...

naturelover - for some reason I am too mean to buy conditioner stuff and have been using good old olive oil...not everyone's cup of tea but I thought with your nickname you might be game. Put about 1 tbsp in hands, warm up btwn palms and rub/ run it through towel dried hair. Leave on for as many hours as you can get away with (or even overnight - my DH is away in the week so I can get away with this!) Then wash as normla , it really does leave your hair lovely and soft and shiny.

Still drinking loads of water - Skin looking quite nice

Ooh and compliment update...whilst never likely to catch up with our BEAUTIFUL leader and her tally I can report that DH said my hair looked 'nice' last night - yay! The fact it was stuffed up in a banana clip at the time did rather take the edge off the compliment - have been waltzing round with blowdried hair and make up for days and nada from him...what a strange man!

Sounds like everyone is getting loads of compliments! I've had five in the last week, which is a lovely boost. I've been more diligent with skincare and maybe my skin looks a bit better, plus I've made an effort with my hair - although it still desperately needs a cut (in a few days' time).

Can anyone recommend a once-weekly hair mask/deep conditioner that doesn't cost a fortune? I daydream about Kerastase etc but don't have the funds right now.

I'm not going to be doing the wardrobe clear-out until after the baby is born. My small maternity wardrobe is quite nice.

I must go and paint my toenails now that it's sunny...

If you don't want to weight then do it on how you feel - then have a good go through your wardrobe and be ruthless about things that don't flatter or fit!

In fact I challenge everyone to do that this week. Try on as many of your clothes as you can:

-If it's too big bin it/charity shop it, no matter how pretty/sparkly/nice it is
-It it's too small then be realistic about whehter you'll fit it again
-If fits but it's old, faded, baggy or otherwise shapeless then tear it up and use the rags for cleaning
-If it fits then find at least 2 outfits you can incorporate it into tht make you look and feel fab.

Have a good time playing dress up!

where are you all? <peers around vacuum>

i wanted to chirrup because my skincare stuff has arrived! (the stuff that got sent surface, so they sent an extra lot by air )

i have face products! and i have foot products all delivered to my door whilst i supped tea water.

four compliments on your hair beautiful? is that even allowed? well done you for having a clean car too - i'm even more envious. mine is the sort that the liftshare children turn their noses up at...

hmm, do i sense a shift towards a weight theme? <depressed> i've decided not to weigh myself, but to davina and maybe jog a bit, and concentrate on what i can see/ feel, rather than what the scales tell me? is that sensible, or do i really need to weigh, too? you lot are v inspirational, though - i'm feeling v green at you having clothes that fit... i think it'll be a couple of weeks before i see any difference on that score - there is much wobbling as i attempt to keep up with davina... i have m&s vouchers somewhere - i think they might get dusted off in favour of new sports underwear... that's got to help with motivation rather than scrabbling around for the greying stuff, right?

i showed dh my new shoes. he said 'oh!'
then he said 'they're nothing like you would normally buy!' but there was an approving glint in his eye, and i did get a snog, after which he commented 'cool! and i might not get a crick in my neck!'
romance is not dead, eh?

i'm lol-ing at your dh recognising you were wearing a diff shade of lippie though, b. what on earth is mine going to say next week with hair and post make-up experience?!

sorry that's so long - and talking to myself, too
<hello?> <echoes...>
what are you all up to today?

Thanks, PL! Mine is baby weight too. Well, more like toddler-weight as DS2 is walking and talking. Ahem.

I can really recommend the Whitestrips. They are like pre-cut strips of thick cling-film, impregnated with peroxide. You wear them for 30 minutes, twice a day, for 7 days. Get the "Premium" (or "Intense", can't remember the name) ones, as they are much better than the "classic".

I had FOUR compliments on my hair today! And I made the nicest-ever lip colour by wearing a pale-pink lipgloss over a darker rose-pink lipstick. It is all shimmery and rosy - lovely! Even DH noticed. "Is that a new lipstick?"

Loving the unexpected snogs I keep getting from him!

And the transformation continues... I drove to the garage & hoovered my car tonight, partly to stop myself eating, and partly because I feel so much more "girly", I need a nice tidy car.

Beautiful I have just read the last few posts more carefully and see that I missed your 5lb weight loss. Well done! Your achievement is greater than mine because mine is just baby weight and would have come off eventually anyway. My clothes aren't exactly falling off, but they are fitting me like they used to rather than having to squeeze into them in a rather unattractive manner. I bought a pair of jeans before Easter and had to wear them with Spanx underneath and much sucking in of stomach fat to even get them on. Now they are loose on me.

DH is not bothered whether I lose the weight or not, he is such a gem he loves my body no matter how it looks to me. In fact he has expressed a preference for my BFtastic norks (30G[shocked][shocked]) and hopes that further weight loss does not make them smaller.

Lemonmuffin I might join you with the tooth strips. Mine are ok but could be brighter.

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU LOT! We are really creating a pack of foxes here. 10lbs off and 6% fat-loss is amazing, Provincial Lady! You must have noticed that - are your clothes falling off you? If so, does your DH like this new development? I'm so thrilled. You must feel amazing!

Philopastry -- I completely empathise on the lack of DH compliments. I felt stunning today, so was at DH for failing to say anything nice when he came home for lunch. In the end, I just went for the shameless approach: "Do I look hideous?", He replied, "No, no, you look lovely!"

And you, Madwoman, getting the Total Body Transformation Experience next week - woohoo! Make-up, manicure, hair cut and colour - that's more than the Bionic Woman went through! Can't wait till next week to hear all about it. And yay! on your compliment! It means even more when it comes from a professional.

This thread is utterly fab, isn't it?! I'm not blowing my own trumpet (this time) -- I mean it, you lot are being so fab at throwing yourselves in to it, body & soul.

Lemonmuffin -- Crest Whitestrips, from America, but you can buy them on eBay, as in this link

Beautiful, tell me about these teeth whitening strips would you? they sound fab, where do you get them from? Am in dire need of something to lift my teeth from their current pale yellow colour!

am liking that.
but less endorphins i suspect...

At no point in my life could I have run a marathon so I am still impressed.

You could always arrange to fly over the marathon?

no, that's my point really. i could run a marathon - about ten years ago , but for some reason decided that entering the online ballot for 2010 would somehow transform me into being able to do it, erm, again.
currently? still on the couch. could probably do a 5k sloooowly.

so i do need to get off the couch at some point, just in case i do come up with a place in the ballot...

i think i'm sort of assuming i won't... i'd have to fly back for it, for a start

madwoman - no I'm not on the thread. I am just a couch potato to 5k-er, not a proper runner at all. I would join a thread but all I would have to say would be "Just about managed to do the run. Didn't enjoy it, wished I wasn't doing it whilst doing it but glad I did afterwards."

The machine was at my local museum, which is having an interactive sports exhibition at the moment.

I am seriously impressed that you could run a marathon. I am just about able to run 5 minutes and then walk 3 minutes three times! I was quite ill and lost a lot of fitness whilst pg with DS2 and the couch potato programme is helping to build up my fitness and strength again.

bikini? <madwoman faints dead away>

provinciallady - 10lbs! that's brilliant! is that just one of the machines in boots or wherever? and since easter!
breast feeding did nothing for me in the weight loss department lol. (and have no intention of taking it up again therefore...) but might give the running a go again. i have (as it 'appens, sounding a bit like jimmy saville) accidentally put myself in for the 2010 london marathon online ballot, so it's probably time i started again...

are you on that running thread that i keep meaning to read, but never getting round to?

...just me and davina tonight then, but i'll let you off as you appear to be paying your penance lol. wednesday sounds good <madwoman secretly pleased she might get away with no davina on tues>

we're moving to canada in 6 weeksish, as long as i manage to get everything sorted... still a few issues that are driving me mad (der) but tbh with most of our stuff gone i've just got to get it fixed really! clock ticking and all that (takes 12 weeks as the container goes by sea... so the kids have had no toys for over a month... ) is it any wonder i look like one of the wild women of borneo? not sure what my excuse has been for the last ten years, but...
anyone. help is at hand via the keyboard of beautiful, whipping us all into shape!

I would like to clarify that I am not running whilst breast feeding.

Oh madwoman you are going to look like a beauty queen after all that lot! (I'm guessing you won't be parading about in a bikini though?) I might join you on focussing on feet this week. Mine are OK but I have quite pretty feet if I make a bit of effort and I am going to be baring them on holiday in 3 weeks time.

Ladies I must share with you - I just went on one of those body monitoring machines and got the new results. The last time I did it was at Easter and since then I have....wait for it....lost 10lbs, dropped blood pressure and heart rate substantially and best of all, lost 6% of my body fat Woo hoo! I think it is running and breast feeding that is doing it as I still eat like a pig horse. Only half a stone to go and I will be back to my pre pregnancy weight. I am so pleased.

Madwoman, i am yoga-ing at 2.30 and jogging at 6.30 so fear Davina is one step too far for me today, can do it on Weds with you though if that sounds OK for you?

The hair consultation sounds v thorough, have a good feeling you are gonna get a wonderful new look by this time next week. I am off for a cut on Weds and have 2 girly nights out next week so lots of chances to collect a compliment or two!
where are you moving to that requires shipping your things by the way? hope it is all going smoothly again now.

Beautiful - you are gonna graduate from beauty school with flying colours by the sound of it, good on you! Need to check out this diet of yours - 5lb is amazing, you must be feeling very smug and very svelte and so you should!

I had a bit of a naughty weekend, too much wine and catching up with friends, good for the soul but not so good for the skin! AM trying to rectify things today hence yoga AND jogging (madness!) Need to drink some water. But have got shaved legs and pits and a bit of Dove fake tan stuff on so not too bad. And painted toenails which look so much prettier

No compliments from my DH this weekend even though I have had lenses in (no glasses on) and make up on both days and definitely look at least a bit better than usual - harumph! Don't ever marry a yorkshire man if you thrive on charm and flattery!

<back!> chat today, cut next monday semi permanent in own shade to cover white grey and some highlights just a couple of shades lighter to add some interest. haven't been able to change colour of my hair since 1991 lol, so am unnecessarily over-excited
she too said longer layers, shaped around face, couple of inches off, but essentially long is probably the way to stay for a while
(and, compliment alert) she said my hair was lovely (except for the frizz, grey and alarming abundance, natch, but she seemed genuine, so i'm counting it!)

and a free manicure whilst the colour's done haven't had a manicure since i got married lol - 11 years ago
i'm hoping they do it for all new customers, rather than she took one look at me thought, bless, let's help her along the way a bit...

make-up lesson (inc 'make-over' lol - that won't be hard considering it's a pretty blank canvas) booked for next tues.
and as i had to send the silver wedges back i got a new pair today whilst i was out... but this week i need to focus on feet i think... so it's pedicure tonight, or i won't wear them...

that would be after davina though, philo!! are you joining me?

oh, and i bought some of those bodyshop blotting papers too
<madwoman begs for gold star>

so i think this week my priorities will be exercise (am so stressed i need to get my body active to get rid of it), water (tons of it), and feeeeeeeet! i will of course remember to slather on the moisturiser and exfoliate a couple of times, but this week is mostly prep before 'beauty school' phase 2 starts next week, with professional help lol!

i'm quite pleased with myself

Paging MadWoman!! When is your hair consultation today? please come and reveal all here. are you having it cut, or just a chat?

Provincial --
"it is all because every morning I imagine us all doing our best despite snotty children harassing us etc. I hope everyone else has been finding it motivating too."

Yes! Me too! You lot are the only thing keeping me back from the brink of the Abyss of Hideousness.

I'm doing brilliantly, I am really am. I know that's horribly vain, but I'm amazed at myself. Have lost 5lbs so far on Scarsdale, teeth are DAZZLING white. Fake-tan is up to date, I'm all body-lotioned. Last night I gave myself a full-on, big bastard pedicure, complete with soaking feet in washing-up bowl and scrubbing eight years' of old varnish off. Have painted toenails Slut Red.

Today I'm wearing flip-flops specifically to display gorgeous Slutty feet.

No compliments! Except DH said my teeth look "bluey white" and wanted to borrow one of the strips, and DS1 said "Mummy, I really like your hairstyle at the moment."

This is all affecting every area of my life: I'm going out more, cleaning the house, taking vitamins and generally being sick-makingly smug and sorted.

Tonight sometime I have to get up the courage to use my Epi-lady on my legs. Then there's not that much more to do, except keep on with the diet, get a manicure, finish teeth-whitening course, and keep it all up.

Can't wait to start getting back into my foxy thin clothes, which are in a box under the bed.

Starting the weekend early here I know, but I have had a hectic few days and a cold, so I haven't been able to post.

BUT I have been shaving legs/pits every day (nb this used to be a given before I had DC, but these days it is an extra big effort) and wearing makeup (and taking it off again at the end of the day) and choosing the nice things in my wardrobe every day rather than just grabbing jeans and a top. I have worn body lotion every day too. I can honestly feel and see a difference in my appearance and it is all because every morning I imagine us all doing our best despite snotty children harassing us etc. I hope everyone else has been finding it motivating too.

Today my model/actress SIL, who is staying overnight, said that my hair looked really nice so that is my compliment of the week <resists temptation to think she is only pitying me and finding the one bit about me that is not absolutely unmentionable>

Hi, my teeth whitening stuff is the stuff from the dentist, custom moulds etc, peroxide gel.
Not much beauty for me this weekend as working, just plenty of sleep and healthy nosh.

i spent yesterday furious, as a couple of things meant our move was in jeopardy (and given that our belongings have already been shipped i was apoplectic lol)

so beauty went to the wall in favour of mute rage and stress.

i have a lot of relaxing and de-stressing to do this weekend

will try and get back on the wagon before monday lol!

I couldn't post much yesterday, was in a real slump. Don't know why. But today I'm BACK, cheerier than ever!

I'm so impressed with all of you.

Booyhoo, get YOU with your TREADMILL. That is professionally sporty and beautifying! And yes, I have spent a fortune on all of this.

An you, lilacclaire - 10 miles walking?! BTW, what teeth-whitening stuff do you use?

Philo -- I love your compliment! And am v much looking forward to hearing what your DH says.

I'm up, showered, made-up, hair done, dressed, teeth-whitened, had a fruit smoothie & all my vitamins, and it's 10am on a Saturday. This never happens.

Let's have a proper big catch-up on Monday, as it'll be a week into our makeover. Like Philo says, I can really hear the tone of your voices lifting & sounding positive!

Yay you lot!

Hi everyone, check you lot out, looking good!

Beautiful - glad it made you smile, heartfelt and true

Madwoman, you are on, tell me what night we are donning our lycra and count me in!

I had my eyebrows threaded for first time today, wow it looks good - have lovely dark lashes to flutter too. WHilst there I decided to tackle the thorny issue of my tache (its blonde but rather too luxuriant to be ignored for a moment longer) and she whipped that off with her magic threads too. My upper lip is a smooth as a baby's bum - hurrah! Highly recommended if any of you lot are unfortunate enough to be similarly afflicated!

Had my first compliment today from a lady at the gym, 'Oooh you look nice' - and id just come out of the swimming baths so had mad hair going on. Not had compliment from DH yet but he hasn't seen my new pants yet so there is still hope!!

AHave a gorgeous weekend everyone, keep drinking that water between your other weekend drinks

Hi hows everyone doing, have been away overnight, so only beauty thing i've done is walking (at least 10 miles in one day) with inappropriate footwear so have ordered a pair of 'walking trainers' and should receive them tommorow hopefully, have aching feet at the mo.
Gutted the full house today top to bottom so hoping that counts as my exercise, generally totally knackered from being away, so will be getting loads of sleep tonight, hair freshly washed and teeth whitener on.
Working all weekend, so won't be much happening there, oh and still not drinking.

and i think i'm going to learn how to spell too!! - 'ral'?? 'stickig'??

treadmill has just arrived!!!, although im doing a big mad cleaning blitz today and then at mums for tea so mightnt have the energy to fit any running in. actually forget that, I WILL do some running even if its only ten minutes.

now that ive been wearing fake tan again i was able to dig out my darker (more flattering) make up yesterday and made a ral effort with it, best friend noticed and said i was looking really well. so thats officially my first compliment!

busy day tomorrow so you mightnt hearfrom me but i'll be stickig to the plan and will update as soon as i get a chance.

has anyone else got a big long list of new beauty products to buy since starting this makeover? i'll be broke after this, but at least i'll be beautiful.

FFS, why don't the QVC links work?

Balance & Brighten info

Eyebrow Tamer wand thingy info

Like I said, you can buy thr products from QVC.co.uk

Hello!

I use Laura Geller's "Balance & Brighten" face powder which is like the Minerals but MUCH nicer, lighter, and doesn't show up your pores. It's sold via QVC - in fact, Laura is on QVC today, I think, at 11am - eek, that's now! But it's really good, despite the QVC association! You can use it as a powder or by itself. It evens you out but doesn't look cakey, IYKWIM.

She also does this eyebrow-tamer wand which is the best make-up item I've ever bought.

naturelover - oo, good tip. will find out nearest stockist and see if i can get there on monday after hair thingy! two birds with one stone and all that

well, davina was... it was great doing it, but i am a tad tight this morning, which i guess means it did something lol! i think walk it off today and do davina every other day... (philo, i'll remind you next week you promised to join in )

beautiful, you are making me laugh - all these compliments despite wandering round the house 'in progress' lol. am v envious of the cleopatra line - i guess you're keeping that fringe!

think i skimped on the water again yesterday - feeling thirsty which has to be a bad sign, so that's priority today. i've got to spend the morning scrubbing the trampoline and climbing frame - they are both under huge trees and turn green periodically so that will be my least glamorous pursuit lol. i will need soaking and moisturising afterwards...

what's today's challenge then b?

Do any of you use a solid foundation+powder in one? I wonder if some of that and some mascara would be a good way for me to wear make up every day, ie REALLY quick to put on.

I find that base + mascara is enough to make me feel good about myself, I'm not really interested in doing more, but right now I'm too lazy even to put on foundation then powder! Actually my foundation is starting to smell, it's that old

madwomanintheattic the Dermalogica products I use are:

special cleansing gel
daily microfoliant
smoothing cream at night
sheer moisture in the morning

then, less frequently:
precleanse
skin refining masque

Perhaps you could have a facial/consultation and find out if their new Medibac range would help with acne?

Walkingwith... For foundation, go to a make-up counter and ask for samples. I did this at the Chanel counter and got a lovely sample of something that made me look very dewy and fresh-faced! Can't remember its name, so bthis was a v unhelpful post... Sorry.

Phio: "And just look at this thread - you can look back and 'hear' the tone/energy of us posters lifting after just a few days on this thread, so thank you, sterling work love!"

That was the nicest thing i've ever read! It kept me grinning for hours! Thank you so much.

I only started it; it's you wonderful lot chucking yourselves in 100% that have made it SO awesome! Hooray for the Beauty School Drop-Outs!!

As long as you stay on this thread, both of you, I sanction the MN diet.

OK, so I'm sitting here wearing my FRownies. I'm not sure. The good news is that my skin is already so, so much better after four days' regular cleansing & moisturising that I found it v hard to find any wrinkles! Thr bad news is, I'm not sure I understand how these work & don't know if I've out them on right. I guess we;ll see in the morning.

Off to bed in a minute, to read while I do a 30-minute teeth-whiten! Poor old DH: he keeps seeing me coming out of the bathroom smothered random beauty stuff, facecream, fake tan, bits of sticky paper (Frownies), teeth-strips... However, another lovely compliment tonight. He came home and said, "Look at you!" Then told me I looked like Cleopatra. ???

Have followed Scarsdale diet all day (it's vv easy) so should have lost a pound by tomorrow! When I peel all this paper off my face, at least...

Night night, beauties x

right, im joining the mn fast aswell. that really will free up alot of my time. god i will be gorgeous after all this!!!

You are so right BEAUTIFUL - look good , feel good,usually in that order for me. And just look at this thread - you can look back and 'hear' the tone/energy of us posters lifting after just a few days on this thread, so thank you, sterling work love! Get it patented, make a packet and then let someone else do all your beautifying for you I say!

And ta for the pep talk - it has persuaded me to get off my arse and slap on the fake tan tonight, will have a bath once kids in bed. I have the added incentive of DH coming home tommorrow (he works away in the week) so fake tan plus nice underwear might just get me that elusive first compliment! Might even sort feet out and - OH MY GOD - paint my toenails. Am fed up of being the only mum on the school run not sporting dark vampy nails. My school does seem to attract an exceptionally well groomed bunch of mums

I do have Davina somewhere - not up for it tonight but will locate it for next week madwoman. Quite like the idea of a virtual gym class!

righty.
i have come to decision that if i pare down my mn time that would help a Lot from a Feeling Better About Myself angle. last time i felt i was overdoing it i deregged lol, which was a tad desperate, so we'll try mn-lite.

and i would also be able to do 2 x 15 minute beauty chores a day.

i am heretoforward on an mn fast (this thread excepted, natch) and will join no new threads for the next month. <if i lie, stick a needle in my eye, etc etc>

an mn diet if you will.

did my penance with the marigolds earlier - mine have funny lining stuff which smelt funny with the cream though, so i ended up washing my hands afterwards lol

tonight i'm going to break out davina and see if she can get me through the 'power of 3' whilst dh walks the dogs and dcs snooze. i've done 40 mins of exercise, but have spent most of the day vegetating on mn, and my brain is truly fried - hence the fasting option for a month. need to get a grip on self generally i think (helped by this thread lol)

sooooo, if i'm on here all day asking random and irrelevant loosely beauty related trivia, just someone tell me to go and do something else? pretty please?

davina at 8 if anyone wants to join me... (rather depends on you owning the dvd lol, but hey...)

Beautiful can you tell me how you get on with the Frownies please. I am intrigued to see if they work. I got some L'Oreal de-wrinkle serum the other day. I am astounded to say it has actually already made a difference. It is really nice and goes on lovely, skin feels and looks so good. It cost me £6, although I'm sure they charged me wrong cause I thought it said £12 on the shelf. I have sleep wrinkles, those criss cross lines on your under eye just above cheek bones. They make me look so old and crinkly. This cream has made them look better, not sure if it is removing them or just making them look better, who cares! Can anyone please advise me of a foundation that will give my 44 year old skin a dewy look rather than a crispy matte dried up look please.

And I agree Beautiful - when I am feeling crap the best thing I can do is try and look my best. Slobbing about in grubby or shapeless clothes with no makeup on does nothing to improve my state of mind.

I'm liking your multi tasking tip FraKKIN!

Mmmmmm... apple doughnuts.

totally agree beautiful.

there have been times when i ignored the front doorbell because i just felt too hideous to deal with anyone, even if it was my mum! now thats bad!!

so really big pat on the back to you for initiating this and kicking us all up the backside in order to make us feel like the gorgeous confident ladies we are.

Five apple doughnuts - three down, two to go

Hello all!

I have a challenge which can be done while MNetting (but requires space....)

Whilst reading long threads lie on your side and do some scissor lifts for your legs if you're using a laptop or do some lunges whilst at the PC. Or maybe some arm excercises. Or anything else which can be done sitting down and is toning

I really need to attack my eyebrows!

This thread is really proving to me that our appearance is crucial to our happiness. How we think we look completely affects how we feel about everything else.

This message is poo-pooed nowadays, so we all go around feeling depressed all the time because society has told us it's "shallow" to care about how you look. Absolute bollocks. I think it's the most positive thing anyone can do.

Having a bad mental-image of yourself stops you doing so much, or enjoying things. Think how often our inner-critic slags us off about how we look: "You? Starting a new job? With all those frumpy, mumsy clothes?" "You? Paint-balling? Wobbling round like a big fat target?" "You? Getting asked on a date?" etc

This makeover is so uplifting and inspiing, we should Patent it!

thanks you two, i only wish i'd done it sooner, but i obviously wasnt ready until now.

get anything nice in sainsburys Provincial?

Go you, PL!

Booyhoo well done! That will make more difference to your health and appearance than any amount of tatting about with tweezers

Ladies, you will be thrilled to know that I am clean and dressed and fully made up at last. And I even went to Sainsburys to celebrate

Booyhoo, that is HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done you for facing that problem and taking such a positive step! Yay!!

And it's totally beauty-related. You will look and feel a million times' better when your body gets the nutrition it needs. Can you imagine? You'll feel like the Billion Dollar Woman.

Hooray for you!

Frownies and Whitestrips have arrived!

I feel so much better for tackling my appearance -- it must have been dragging me down for months and months. Feel so, so much more optimistic and positive this week.

i did something thats not strictly beauty related today, BUT... it will in the long run benefit the cause and i was inspired by this makeover. and i'm really proud of myself for finally adressing it.

so what is it ive done?

for as long as i can remember i have been the pickiest eater ever. i mean its embarrasing! for years i survived on cereal, toast and sausages, and lots of crappy junk food. i dont ever recall voluntarily eating fruit or veg. i have graduated slightly since having children but still my diet is atrocious. but as much as i convince myself i will like things if i try them, i just cant do it when it comes down to it, so today, i booked an appointment with a hypnotherapist to put an end to it and finaly give my body the nourishment it needs.

i know its not related but i just wanted to share it with you all because it is part of my makeover.

Hi philo! SCORE on the Decleor in the airing cupboard!

I think you're doing FABULOUSLY. Even though your skin is white, think how pink and healthy your liver must be looking after a week off the booze! (Says she who had a Bell's last night.)

What is annoying you the most about your appearance? The bit that makes you feel "Eugh" when you see it? Feet, or paleness? Tackle that bit first.

I always think of fake-tan as being such a pain to do and put it off, but it takes about 10 minutes in reality. what always gets me to do it is remembering something I read on MN, where it was the no.1 top "cheerer-upper" we could think of. Waking up with new fake tan on = bliss.

Also, I try to have a good scrub in the shower in the morning and do body-lotion, then it's v quick just to slap the tan on before bedtime.

You know all this though, so I won't krep banging on.

OK thanks for the pep talk both - DS2 is asleep in my room so I can't get dressed or have a bath but I am going to book an eyebrows appointment forthwith.

still rofling at 'you look so much younger' though

oh, and can i just say to all those curlies considering the fringe option...

DON'T DO IT!!!!

<sorry, as you were...>

oh blimey

<trawls upstairs to find other marigold which was left in the bathroom after bath blitz>

bodyshop hemp or neutrogena norwegian formula?

Morning all, thanks for letting me join in, very quick update from me

the good...
eyebrow threading booked for tommorrow
jogged for 25 mins this morning
lady garden trimmed
stayed off booze all week and drunk lots of water
Eating more healthily
found some Decleor eye cream in back of the airing cupboard while on my beauty mission yay!

the bad...
feet still rather manky
not booked haircut yet
skin still pale blue/ white

the ugly...
erm...see above!

Will put lip gloss and mascara on before I go and collect DS2 from playgroup. Not wearing a great outfit today but I am out of my PJ's! COme on provicial, you can do it, dressed, mascara and lip gloss by lunchtime, you will feel much better!

Not had any compliments yet - but will fish for them if I don't get any in the next week!
Looking forward to hearing yours though, don't be shy, get them on here

ProvincialLady - don't worry! Do a 15-minute chore this morning so you feel on track again.

Yes, Madwoman, I'm going with option 2! Slap handcream on, ull on the Marigold gloves and do 15 minutes' housework!

(I just did this, so you're not alone.)

I was trying to think how we could incorporate beautifying into our everyday lives. For example, softening hands while doing housework (see above). What else could we do? Slap moisturiser on before batch-cooking, so the steam opens our pores and allows the moisturiser to work better? Anything else?

I'm so annoyingly virtuous today - just had a home-made smoothie of banana, strawberries and WATER. How do-goody is that?!

I am ashamed to admit I am still in my not-very-glam pyjamas I didn't get much sleep last night.

When I do get going I promise the results will be STUNNING (not necessarily in a good way)

lol - i completed the mission before you posted it - do i get a prize?

or have to do an extra 15 minute beauty chore for being chippy?

* BEAUTY MISSION *

Today I want to hear compliments you have received from people. Spoken word, amorous advances or shouts from builder all qualify. Do this for me, as I keep posting mine and will look hideously cocky & braggy unless you do yours too.

* BEAUTY MISSION ENDS *

morning!

i actually had a compliment yesterday

one of dd1's friends said to me 'i really like your hair like that - i don't often see you with it down!'

so i guess the de-frizz stuff and not dragging it back in a croydon facelift because i haven't had time to think about anything else is a Good Start... and i haven't even had my hair consultation yet!
<cheesy grin>

third day walking. had small contre-temps with dh who suggested i was making it up that the car didn't work in the mornings. it didn't work when he tried it either... i didn't get any compliments from him. apparently booking the mechanic and organising life/ pick-ups without his knowledge is Not a Good Thing... must be emasculating or something. will ask him to do manly stuff like change a plug or something later as recompense.

anyway, i didn't do very well at water glugging yesterday, so will make a huge effort today.

my silver wedges arrived yesterday but will have to back as they don't fit...
and my skincare stuff i ordered has been sent surface and not airmail as i requested, so have had brief apology from company - they are sending a new airmal delivery today, and i can keep the surface lot if when it arrives, freeee.

so, good and bad.
<glug>
<next glass>

naturelover, can i ask which dermalogica products you use? at 38 i haven't really found anything 100% effective at keeping acne at bay (although i seem to have a lot of skincare stuff enroute lol) - would be interested to know what you recommend?

did not get up early this am. will scurry off and attempt to Make Effort.

Hi Naturelover!

You can easily get into the swing of this v quickly. Lovely that your hair + clothes are sorted. I'd say don't worry about post-preg clothes yet. Just deal with the here and now otherwise you'll fall into a slump as it'll all seem unattainable. Anyway, I still wore maternity stuff - trousers at least - till DS2 was 2 or 3 months old.

Your supposed "bad" points are all v easy to fix, I'd say.

* my hair is a mess, in an in-between/growing out stage, with some grey that I haven't covered

You've booked the cut already - yay! - but I'd say carry on growing it out. Can you ask stylist to give you an in-between style that will carry you onwards with the growing?

* I haven't painted my toenails for over a year + my feet are reptilian

Well, that's your job for today. 15 minutes - soak them in warm water then scrub hard bits with pumice, cover in hand (or foot) cream and wear socks all day. Tonight, when they're all soft gorgeous, take another 15 minutes to give yourself pedicure in front of TV. Sorted.

* I don't bother with make-up anymore

If you have that lovely glowy preg skin, just slap on powder, mascara and lip gloss. Can you dye your eyelashes when pregnant?? If so, get the kit from Superdrug and do them yourself. I have just done this & difference is staggering.

* I don't shave my legs often enough

15 minutes! Do this today! Then you'll naturally stop wearing jeans so much.

* I haven't done face masks/hair treatments etc for ages (used to do this every week)

Just choose 2 evenings a week - say, Tuesday and Thursday - and give yourself a small, 15-minute treatment then. Don't agonise how often you used to do them - you have created life, that's more important than facepack.

When all this is done, get your DH to help you find your accessories and jackets. He will immediately comply as you are now looking so foxy & beautiful.

Teeth whitening: I like Crest Whitestrips Premium, which you can get on eBay. They're little films which cling to your teeth and bleach them. You wear them for 20 minutes a day. Not cheap (about £25) but I remember they did work well.

Sorry about typing, really must learn to preview posts. Keep sounding like weird Spanish lady. "You NO do that!"

CJ -- awwww! Thanks! I think you had a good day: gym + make-up = Very Good Day. As this is really a makeover month, you can justify make-up free days as "giving my skin a breather". I'm slapping slap on each day, but really only as a reminde that I can look nice with it on. Very eay to fall into pit of ugly-depression and give up entirely. You have NO done that, so please give yourself a pat on the back!

Me too - should be asleep, I know! Hi naturelover.

Well, a good and bad day. Went to the gym, did 20 mins treadmill and 25 swimming. Put make up on, but only at 7.30 this evening when I was going out.

Otherwise have eaten really quite badly (still in post nicotine phase, which means carbs and sugar are pretty regular requirements) and not drunk much water.

Am intrigued by all this talk of hair curlers. Quite fancy that, as my hair is getting thicker and doesn't respond too well to straighteners. As for teeth whitening - can't face trawling the thread, can you just tell me what to get?!

Beautiful, you are very lovely and inspiring. Night night.

Hi there, can I join?

This thread has inspired myself to start taking better care of myself.

I've realised I have some strong and some weak points.

Strong points:
my figure is ok (I'm 6 months pg so won't be doing much more than walking or swimming)
my skin is good at the moment (pregnancy + dermalogica are a good combination)
my mat clothes are quite nice (second baby) and actually make a nice change from my pre-preg wardrobe that was tired and frumpy from lack of time/money for shopping since DD was born
my diet and water consumption are quite good and I walk a lot

Weak points:
my hair is a mess, in an in-between/growing out stage, with some grey that I haven't covered
I haven't painted my toenails for over a year
I don't bother with make-up anymore
since I moved house months ago I haven't located my accessories or jewellery or nice jackets (renovations ongoing so lots of things still packed)
I tend to wear jeans every day despite having some nice things
I don't shave my legs often enough
I haven't done face masks/hair treatments etc for ages (used to do this every week)
my feet are reptilian

My biggest problems are lack of time and money, so I think the 15-min a day thing is a great idea. Last night I put on a face mask, and tonight I buffed my fingernails!

I have booked a haircut for two weeks' time and might revert to previous hairstyle rather than continue growing it.

How much do you tend to pay for haircuts? I can't afford professional colour as well as nice cut. I struggle to find 45 pounds every two months for a cut (London). My Dermalogica habit is a bit expensive but having had acne most of my life I'm prepared to prioritise products that actually work.

Post-baby I will really need new clothes but again lack of time to shop and lack of money will probably be big problems.

I've always believed in buying quality clothes, capsule wardrobe etc but in reality my clothes are dull and not particularly individual. I used to pay such attention to nice accessories but I've lost the inclination since having DD, plus of course she grabs jewellery so it's easier not to bother.

I look forward to reading more tips and being inspired, meanwhile I'm breaking the post-10pm rule! Goodnight!

Best teeth-whitening product...? I only know about the whitestrips, haven't done anything else!

I'm going to remove make-up now and get ready for bed. Thank you all so much for joining this thread, have just re-read the whole thing and it's just so brilliant to have you all here sharing your tips and how you're getting on. I'm walking to school and back twice a day now (that's grand total of 4 miles) just because you all seem to do so much exercise!

Thanks again. Get your Beauty Sleep!

hmm, well i got a free face mask out of a magazine so i suppose i could do that. soo havent drank enough water today so i'll do that aswell. btw did we get an answer on the best teeth whitening product?

Right, seeing as you're here right now, can I persuade you to do a 15-minute Beauty chore? Go on! What could you do right this minute? Face pack? Drink a glass of water? Wash your make-up brushes? Pore-strip?

???

no i have it too, i just didnt admit it!! lol

Sorry, it was womma who has the buy-the-stuff-then-leave-it-in-cupboard syndrome.

Thanks so much for the info on using rollers -- I have these, as well as a truly booyhoo-esque collection of heated tongs/straighteners/stylers -- but of course I never use them, just buy them and take them home with that feeling of, "Job done. That's the hair sorted then."

Yes, booyhoo, it's a syndrome and I suffer from it too!

Ladies, I had my hair cut tonight and I am transformed! I got her to cut a big, straight fringe into it -- cheap Botox -- and I'm LoViNg It. I feel vv bitchy and modern with my fringe, and flicky-out layers.

Went home via supermarket and bought loads of salad, fruit, lean meat and fish. This reminded me of LilacClaire stocking up on Ryvitas, so Oi! LilacClaire! How's it going?

Came home and the first thing DH said was, "Wow!" Then "You look much younger." (Is that good or bad? Have decided to take it as good and ignore obvious unsaid message of, "You were looking well old when you shuffled out of here earlier.".) Then, "It reminds me of when we were first dating." Then got a big snog in the kitchen, and I let him unpack all the groceries. Talk about Fringe benefits, eh?! Eh? Geddit?

GIRLS: GET A FRINGE. THEY AROUSE MEN.

Not sure if any of you have tried it before, but what about warmed olive oil for frizz? Heat it up, massage into scalp and full length of hair til saturated. Wrap in warm towel or shower cap to keep heat in and leave for 20-30 mins (maybe in bath while lying in that special treat bubble bath!) then shampoo/condition as normal.

I have no experience of this myself as my hair is poker straight, but seen it a few places when I was looking into oil cleansing method.

can i just say 'AARGH!'
i don't know whether to laugh or cry that so many of you want curls lol

it has made me feel marginally better that i can stick to pondering exfoliation and moisturising and have now found two things i don't require - eyelash dye and curling products lol . i obviously have two natural advantages - get me! feeling better already

<madwoman ignores muffin top and frizz issue>

ah see my hair is quite thick so thats probably why mine always fall out. going to give it another go with your method though.

I went into Boots the other day to look at curling tongs. OMG has that market taken off!

My last pair of tongs were bought around 1988 when it was all Dallas and Dynasty big shoulder pads. I used to have a Linda Evans flick. Back then it was little gas rechargable things now they have something called a curl press and these conical twisted tongs where you wrap the hair round the barrel rather than wind the tong around the hair. There was also this scary looking hairdryer that curled your hair whilst drying it.

I expect to feel confused when I go to buy a new phone but I thought by my age I could manage to pick a pair of tongs without my head exploding.

Well my hairdresser manages to get my poker straight hair curly using GHD straightners but I have never managed to perfect it. So she suggested velcro rollers.

You wash and dry your hair but leave it slightly damp. I use some mousse or styling spray at this stage. Put the rollers in starting at the top and working your way down to your neck. I have Denman rollers out of Boots, they come in 4 sizes and I use a random mixture. They have a special silver coating to conduct heat.

I then spray with good old Elnet and put the hairdryer on them for a few minutes. Wait 10-20 mins to let them cool down and set. Unravel and I have rather nice curls. I turn my head upside down and run my fingers through for a more tousled effect.

My hair used to be very thick and dry but in the last few years it has gone rather lank and thin. By doing this and adding more volume it looks a lot better.

I used to have some Revlon electric rollers but I think the velcro ones give a better curl. You could put then in whilst soaking in the bath at let the steam set them. I also have to say it makes me feel extremely glamourous wafting around in my dressing gown with my rollers in!

yes tell about the rollers.

i currently own heated rollers, electric curling tongs, a gas curling tong and GHD straighteners and still havent managed to achieve beautifull curls or even a tousled look. it all falls straight out!!

fatjac tell me more about velcro rollers. What does one do with them?

Well my main concern is weight. However this time I am planning on focussing on the whole package as it were not just the one issue.

Was looking at your link to the Scarsdale diet. Interesting. At the moment I am using up old supplies of Cambridge plan.

Hair is not too bad at the moment. I have a shocking amount of grey now so I do get it trimmed and dyed every 6-8 weeks or so. My big recent (re)discovery is velcro rollers. Instead of using straightners I have been going for a more touselled look. I'm also investigating curling tongs.

At the moment I am concentrating on hands and feet. Both have shown vast improvement in the last week or so.

I had my eyebrows threaded the other week and i got a much more precise shape than when i get them waxed.

liking todays mission. and considering i have done absolutely none of my daily tasks then i think i owe it to me and all you beautiful ladies to do this one. please send motivation this way, combination of late to bed and baby not sleeping left me shattered and in bad form so not feeling much like being beautiful today. you all are doing really well!

Hi lovely ladies

Today I managed to shave my pits and legs in the bath (albeit with my toddler and baby watching), put on proper make up and a dress, and do my hair to a reasonable standard. Even though I had a rubbish night's sleep last night thanks to teething I bought some new foundation - Benefit stuff - as my old one had run out. It does make a difference to how polished I look.

Last night's run was hard work too so it must have done me some good!

Sorting out and using the beauty products we already have is a good plan too. I am a terror for hoarding things until they smell funny and have to be thrown away.

I have a whole box full of lovely products in my wardrobe gathering dust - I will go and dig some things out NOW and use them tonight.

Do you there is a syndrome whereby just by buying a product you think it's going to work, even if it sits in a drawer for two years? If so, I have it and I'm sure I'm not the only one!

Sitting here typing in nice make up, which I will take off properly at the end of the day. I'm going to book an eyebrow shape for saturday morning too.

* BEAUTY MISSION ALERT! *

As I sit here, wearing eyelash dye and a porestrip, I'm wondering how many of us have cupboards and cabinets full of Beauty products we never use? Bought when a fit of ugliness coincided with being in Boots?

Our mission today is -- seek and rescue those products! Take 15 minutes (because we are Super-Fly Ladies) and grab all the unused products you own and put them all together in a basket in your bathroom, somewhere you'll see them every day. Then you'll be inspired to use them.

This also goes for expensive bubble-baths you save for special occasions. Use it!

* BEAUTY MISSION ENDS *

Hi fatjac! So what's your plan? You need a plan. Are you going to follow our fabulous, 15-minute Beauty Chores routine?

How is your hair? We are starting with our hair. Are you happy with yours or could you use a haircut/colour/brush?

LOVELY to have you here, all of you. (Whitening strips still not bloody arrived, so I'm still forced to do small, closed-mouth smiles.)

So today was in gym at 6:30 -- my main need to look good is to tone up and this is the only way to do it.. came too on running machine to find I was actually enjoying it and making plans with myself to come back on Friday!

Have had hair done and it is now slinky smooth and freeze free - am wearing basic make up which is huge progress from no make up .. so today .. feel and look good..

this thread is great .. tonight am going to do total body exfoliate and too a fake tan.. just 15 minutes of work every day seems to working really well .. not much time and yet results are great.. really good idea! thanks!!

Enjoying the thread ladies. I turned 40 a few weeks ago and have decided enough is enough. If not now then when will I be a babe! or whatever the term is.

Making a little effort everyday certainly does make you feel a lot better. Hopefully before too long I will start to look better. My youngest starts at the school nursery after the summer so I'm hoping by then to feel and look a lot better than I do at the moment.

philopastry, of course you can join! Do let us know when you've booked your haircut and eyebrow/eyelash appt.

Madwoman -- haven't tried Eve Primrose, but did use Agnus Castus for a while. Didn't notice any skin improvements but was certainly a lot less certifiably insane with PMT.

CJ -- hello! Can you get a cheapo cut/colour at a local beauty school, or on a salon-training night? I've heard they are very, very good but they take ages, that's the only drawback, so only doable when kids are at school/nursery.

Morning babes-in-training!

My biggest achievements this week so far have been getting early nights. I've been tucked-up by 10.30pm every night (normally I mess around all night and stagger up after 12.30 [eek]) and although it's taken a few nights, I feel I've finally caught up with sleep.

This morning (is this fascinating? Are you all gripped?), I leapt out of bed at 6.30am which gave me loads of time to sail around serenely getting ready for school run. Skin looks fab after cleansing/toning every day, and using the No.7 P&P.

Haircut tonight! Thank God!

also, I just bought some Alli weightloss pills -- the ones that make you poop your pants if you eat anything fatty. Has anyone else tried these?

Please keep posting your updates -- you are all inspiring me and keeping me going!

philo, thanks for hair tips! will def remember the layers one and keep my fingers crossed that the woman i'm seeing on monday has curly hair lol!

another morning without the car, so another 40 min round trip to school

on second glass of water.

but had dreadful night's sleep as dh kept lying on his back with his arms behind his head and snoring, and i kept having to knee him in the bollocks ask him to roll over.

am v spotty today. harumph. suspect hormonal involvement. anyone tried evening primrose or anything to balance it out a bit?

intending to take dogs out for long walk and order online shop for tomorrow with lots of fruit and veg <due to lack of car - sigh> and poss self tan later... but can't remember if i've got a meeting tonight... if so it'll have to be just slather in moisturiser...

didn't dry hair again, but am keeping up with anti-frizz stuff... might have to try something different though... am using the tresemme stuff as last hairdresser got all snippy about john frieda/ frizzease etc, but i think it's made it less manageable tbh... sort of fluffier, which wasn't really the look i was hoping for...

Well i'm a fan of the natural look! For a 5-minute make up routine,you can try powder(Bobbi Brown,my personal favourite), mascara and lip gloss for a start. These 3 suit and make a positive difference on most people.

'let', even. And good night.

PS Philo, my kids are those ages too. I have left myself go for far too long ...

Hi all, thanks for being so welcoming! I was on the dieting thread for a bit but there were so many people on there, I couldn't keep up.

Went to the gym yesterday, but only did 25 minutes swimming, nothing more strenuous than that. Am going again tomorrow, will go on treadmill and bike too this time!

Getting better about wearing nicer clothes but all the stuff that makes me feel good is too damn small at the moment! Am trying to wear make up etc every day, get to bed at a reasonable time and drink water.

Badly need hair cut and colour but am pretty broke at the moment. Tell you what, though - sounds a bit daft but I bought myself a new duvet cover the other day - lovely, bright cheery colours - and it has REALLY lifted my spirits. Maybe it was just the retail therapy element, but it's made me feel so much better!

Good luck tomorrow everyone.

Great thread BEAUTIFUL - I have only just found it, can I join too please? Feeling bleurgh and can not keep blaming it on having kids as they are 5 and 3 now. Need to get a grip! I know this is late but my main problems are:-

I am 20lb overweight.
My hair needs a damn good cut
I don't even own any conditioner and haven't for weeks!
My feet are in desperate need of some TLC
My skin is dehydrated
I am a whiter shade of pale
I have nightmares about what age I would be given if I was forced to stand in the street a la 10 years younger!

On the plus side I have my own teeth and hair, went for a facial today and went jogging yesterday so perhaps there is hope!

Tommorrow I will book hair appointment and eyebrow/ eyelash appointment. And drink 4 glasses of water. And take DS2 out somewhere for a bike ride (me running to keep up, like Rocky!)

MADWOMAN - my mum has v. curly hair, she only ever lets hairdressers with curly hair themselves near her, and she gets great cuts. Don't let them cut the layers too short, she also swears by frizzease.

Better get to bed , am 30 mins late already!!

so we can definite cheer one another on with ]some weight.

Or, as we say in English, "so we can definitely cheer one another on with about losing some weight".

Morning CJ! You're so in. What are you going to tackle first? A few of us are booking haircuts to get us started. I so need to lose my muffin-top, which is now more like Mr Kipling's factory, so we can definite cheer one another on with ]some weight.

I have looked OK and dressed nicely today, but haven't actually done anything beautifying. What did I say I was going to do today? Pore strip? Shit.

I've been glugging water down all day, I'm sure I've had sixty minutes worth of exercise just going up and down the stairs to the loo!

CJ - you sound like you could be my twin sister going by your description of yourself, welcome aboard.

Hello, please can I join in? I decided today that I'm going on holiday in 5 weeks and have HUGE muffin top which is shameful and upsetting. On week four off the fags/nicorette so am comfort eating like a maniac. I need something!
Am a wreck, eyebrows a la Brooke Shields, scruffy old clothes, feel like shit. You clearly know what I mean ...

So I'm in, if that's ok.

I am not drinking any water! Argh! Will go and neck 4 glasses now.

ok been to the park
currently bfing and drinking water. does bfing count as a weight loss excercise? lol

Hello!!

Well so far, so not too bad - went to gym last night and did the full works afterwards - skin looks good but my hair - dear god my hair is terrible.. really need to work on it - dry and frizzy and wild.. have booked appt tomorrow at hairdressers to get the white roots sorted - will ask advice on what to do with the wild ends!

Tonight am going to do a facemask and do eyebrows.. and ordering the frownies!

Womma, great tip! I'll get those.

Sorry for the billion posts, but let's def write compliments here. I've had first one: As I staggered off to Dr's in wedges, DH told me I looked "amazing"! Record all of your's here too.

Walkingwithighosaurs... Yes, jump in! We're only on Day 1, so you've missed nothing!

How's ZZMum, and Trinity today?

Hi SweetLorraine! Beauty addicts very welcome. you can give us tips. For example, what's a very fast 5-minute make-up routine that I could fit into my day? I've mastered the art of a 4-minute shower/shampoo/condition, but still my make-up takes forever. Lovely to have you here!

Coalman -- I heard a good double-chin buster was to roll your tongue right to the back of your mouth, tilt your head right up so you're looking at the sky, then open/shut your mouth. Do it now: you should feel a "pulling" on the double-chin zone. Try that.

I would be the first person to get a facercise book out of the library, so I support you! I believe anything like that.

Has anyone tried these?
They really work, and no injections or chemicals (plus a free forehead wax as well!) I have some and haven't used them for a long time but will dig them out. They just stop you frowning and your forehead muscles relax, so any lines or wrinkles are much less noticeable. After wearing them for two nights on the trot my forehead is unlined and I look 12...almost.

Booyhoo -- Dove Summer Glow did nothing to my skin, except turn my knees brown. Earlier on this thread, TwelveYearGap recommended L'oreal Nutrisummer moisturiser.

I only use St Tropez now (saving up my Boots Advantage points to buy it!) as it's been the only reliable, nice colour, non-streaking one I've ever used.

I have the Eva Fraser book of facial excercises, can't believe half of it. She actually believes that gently rolling your finger back and forth over a wrinkle gets rid of it. Blimey that's a revelation, all that expensive wrinkle cream I've been buying when I only had to massage them with my finger!

ok so the dye job has failed miserably so im going to ring an expensive salon and book a consultation. to hell with the cost its my birthday next week!!!

last night after lights out i did full body exfoliation, shaved everything (inc lady garden) moisturised all over and fake tanned but i must have been very pale to start cause this looks non existent. anybody use an excellent tan? i used dove summer glow andput on two layers. oh and i did the cold rinse. i also rinse with white vinegar aswell. it leaves my hair in geat condition.

and i did the hair dye but the result has cancelled out the effort.

plan for today

book consultation at salon
take ds's to park for a good run around (me, they can do what they like!!)
dust off exercise dvd and do after kids go to bed. if ithink of anymore i can do i'll add them.

also i have a treadmill arriving on friday so i can run without worrying about where to put the kids.

Arse. At least it's just a library book. I just want to get rid of my double chin. Any ideas -I'm hoping to lose 10lbs, that should help a bit, but my jawline is still quite saggy.

Coalman i heard facial exercises only cause wrinkles and facial lines! i would research more on that before doing them.

Hi all!I'm a beauty addict so i'm following your thread with interest. I don't have most of the issues mentioned here as i went to the labor room with lipstick on! So i'm only following to improve on areas i might have missed. All the best! Beauty is a great thing appreciated by all.

Been reading these posts, you should all be very proud of yourselves, keep it up. I may even join you. Has anyone tried Tri-Aktelene (sp) saw it advertised, supposed to get rid of wrinkles, but its 30 quid so don't want to waste my money. Also I'm 44 and need some ideas on foundation for ladies of my age. I've noticed that my usual one is making my skin look dry and parched. I think my once oily skin is changing to old dry skin .
Can anyone help. Do I need illuminising foundation?

I had a productive day yesterday,

- Booked haircut. I've printed off an old picture of me with nice hair and going to ask for that again.

- Looked at old photographs to get an idea of which styles of clothes suit me

- Did an excercise DVD. I didn't feel fit enough for Davina or Nell, so I dug out an old Cindy Crawford one thinking it would be easier. Bloody Hell it was hard. But it inspired me to carry on, as I could recognise that underneath all the flab and stretchmarks, my basic frame is the same as hers. I'll never look that good, but I can look a damn sight betterthan I do now.

- I got this facial exercise book out of the library. Felt a bit silly taking it to the counter, and it looks like a lot of work with no guarantees, but worth a try for a month. I'll let you know if it works.

Today I am going to buy a semi hair dye, and another DVD, and of course the facercise.

GO YOU! Wahoooo!! There ya go, that's more like it.

i have ordered new silver wedges

i will wear them unless it's raining

That should be another Makeover Challenge: wear your nice clothes and shoes. Don't save them for "special occasions", get 'em on!

I have Dr's appointment today, and am going in my gold wedges that for some reason I never usually wear. I had moment of terror when I tried them on, thinking, "Christ - everyone is going to gawp at my streaky legs," then realised that if I wore what I'd usually wear (shapeless top & jeans), nobody would look at me at all.

Morning everyone.

This is my morning off (Im a CM) so after leaving dd to school I came home, cleaned kitchen, 35 minute workout dvd then quick shower using a h/m body scrub and slathering on the bio-oil afterwards. Was supposed to be out walking this am but when I made my to-do list last night I realised I dont really have the time for a 1 1/2 hour walk.

Ive also started the oil cleansing method properly in last 4 days and so far so good. Ive some scarring on my face (from acne) and I heard that a Roc retin-ox is faster than bio-oil at getting rid of it, so added that to shopping list.

Off to do tesco shop online and then tackle the storage room (on a declutter challenge too!)

Good morning, just popping out, but so far this morning.
been another 3 mile walk
showered/body lotion
hair/make up done
reasonably alright clothes on
eyebrows plucked and nose hair trimmed
oh and ryvita and tomato for a nibble.

Keep it up folks.

ah, long layered and shaggy i could do...
i'm petrified by the boots idea - won't that be in public lol?

will sort my sound out and have a look at those lessons later

need to ring the mechanic lol. beauty will have to be postponed in favour of wheels for a while

By different person, Make-up for school!

Ah, it's Jemma Kidd. Here she is on YouTube

Yo MadWoman!

Re: your hair. Just ask their advice in the salon. Throw yourself on their mercy. Say you don't have much time to do it every day, so you need a low-maintenance style. I read last night about cuts, and this one was said to be the most universally flattering.

Re: make-up... If I were a novice, I'd go to my nearest bigger Boots shop, one with lots of beauty counters, and find someone on the No.7 or Max Factor counter and ask advice. They will be very helpful - especially if you say you own no make-up and need to buy everything -- and get them to do it. Or book a free makeover at your nearest MAC shop.

Jodi Kidd - or is it Jemima? - does make-up lessons online, will Google.

<googles space nk>

morning! all you lot typing after lights-out have given me too much to read <frowns> <remembers that gives you wrinkles and adopts botoxed air>

so yesterday i did exfoliate and moisturise, and booked my hair consultation thingy. (still open to suggestions about what to do with long brunette/grey curly frizz...)

i also painted my toenails (this normally only happens about once a year, so is a Big Thing) i got 8 hours sleep! (except for a brief foray at 1am to work out why dh was asleep on the sofa... jet lag...)

i failed to get my clothes ready or dry my hair this morning but i did put serummy stuff on in an attempt to combat fluff/ frizz... Will Do Better. baby steps...

today i have had an enforced 40 minute walk (car b*ggered) and am getting on with the water drinking <sigh> am going to have much walking later c/o car situation, so don't think i need to worry about skimping on the exercise front. i suspect that i had better just walk this week rather than anything mor energetic as it has been a while...

i discovered rather more stretch marks yesterday than i had anticipated, and as i haven't had a baby for nearly 6 years i can only assume they are caused by general flabbage. q - does self tan darken strethc marks, or make them More Obvious? help! this could be crucial to today's beauty chore....

and hello to all recruits! some of you sound like ringers very professional but lapsed lol, so please help me whilst i wallow at the bottom of the class trying to work out what to do with an eye pencil!

i have dark eye lashes none of that tinting nonsense required here, sor which i remain eternally grateful! one less thing for me to flap about!

Oooh, thanks for the SpaceNK tip! I will definitely do that next time I'm in London. I am still doing my make-up the same way as I did when I was 17. <- Yes, like that, but bit less rouge.

Go you, ProvincialLady! I'm impressed.

Another tip: let's all write down compliments we get on our appearance this month (note: an erection shoved in your back in bed is a compliment, as it is on the Tube, the bus, anywhere!) so we stop seeing ourselves as mingers, and start remembering that we are actually quite gorgeous.

Also, we need to ask ourselves why it is that we have stopped taking care of ourselves regularly?

So far today I have:

* Showered
* Shaved armpits & pruned Le Jardin de Femme
* cleansed, toned, moisturised

Am just going upstairs to dry hair.

Later today I will:

* Shave legs
* Exfoliate again to get rid of horrible streaky tan
* Book inch-loss wrap

Right, I've just read all of this and its RUDDY FAB!!! Exactly what I need and brilliant to have the company of all of you lovely ladies to do it in as well!

So far I have:

had fruit salad for brekkie

booked a haircut for next week (on DD's first day with the childminder and a week before I go back to work...a good distraction I think, but I may need a slice of cake too)

Going up stairs now to file my feet and have a go on my eyebrows.

If anyone needs some help with make-up, Space NK is utterly fabulous. Book a free consultation and you will be transformed!

Ugh and now I have just scared myself looking at the before and after pictures on the crest strips <shudder>

Morning fellow goddesses-in-training. So far today I have:

Applied body lotion
Washed my fringe and blow dried it so it isn't all crushed from sleeping
Put makeup on
Selected a nice outfit including a lovely goldy skirt I picked up in a charity shop yesterday
Eaten museli for breakfast (but I do that every day anyway)

Today I will:
Go for a run (I do this 3x a week a la Couch Potato to 5k)
Walk flipping miles taking DS1 to tumbletots
Eat a healthy lunch (already made to eat as picnic)
Dye my eyelashes. I used to do this and it helps because I have blonde lashes and not very long ones at that
Try and remember to brush my hair during the day (will probably fail and look like a burning bush as per usual)

Thanks Libra, but I am going to weigh myself every day. My BMI is currently 29. I have "forgotten" I'm overweight for a year now... I need to face up to the issue.

Can I change the plan (again)? I think we should just have a list of Beauty Chores and just pick 3 or 4 to do every day, concentrating on your "problem areas". Tick them off when you do them. By the end of a month you should have done loads of them.

Here is the list...

BEAUTlFUL'S MONTH OF BEAUTY MAKEOVER REGIME

Every day:

* Get 8 hours' sleep (if at all possible)
* Get 60 minutes' exercise
* Cleanse/tone/moisturize morning & evening
* Drink 4 glasses water
* Eat healthily with view to losing weight: IE, no snacks, lots of fruit/veg, nothing naughty like pastry, butter, crisps.
* Every day, do one 15-minute "beauty chore"

HAIR - 15-minute Beauty chore list:

* Book cut/colour/consultation
* Deep-condition hair with special goop, or olive oil
* Wash brushes
* Buy new hair products, like mousse, Frizz-Ease, deep-conditioner, etc
* Look up hair-styling tips to suit your chosen style and try to do them (ie, using hot rollers, using straighteners to make curls, creating heavy fringe, etc)
* Ask friends' advice on new style
* Take vitamin B complex or eat Marmite to get added shine in hair
* Do cold-water rinse at end of wash, to flatten hair-cuticles and get added shine
* Try new style, for example put hair up in chignon
* Dye eyelashes with home kit, or in salon
* Have eyebrows shaped in salon, or by yourself

SKIN - 15-minute Beauty Chore list:

* Pore-strip on nose and chin
* Face pack
* Wash make-up brushes
* Book make-up lesson
* Try doing make-up differently every day, especially eye make-up. By the end of the month you should have found the way that suits you best
* Skin scrub -- mix handful of sugar with 1 tablespoon olive oil, scrub gently over face in circular motions. Apply hand-hot water to muslin cloth and place over face for 10 seconds, three times (like Eve Lom). Wash off oil, soak muslin cloth in cold water place over face for 10 seconds, pat dry
* Rub Vaseline into eyelashes before bed (to encourage growth)
* Exfoliate ENTIRE body
* Slather all of body in body-lotion, concentrating on elbows, knees and feet
* Apply fake tan
* Shave/wax/Epilate/whatever all hairy areas
* Trim lady-garden area!
* Book pedicure, or give self one
* Soak feet in warm water, then scrub heels and hard bits
* Give self manicure, or have posh one in salon
* Put hand-cream on hands and feet, then go to bed wearing cotton gloves and socks
* Bleach or somehow remove/disguise facial

BODY - 15-minute Beauty Chore list:

* Do 15 minutes' sit-ups
* Arrange something sporty, like regular swimming, tennis lessons, restarting gym membership, vowing to walk to school every day forever...
* Find exercises that target your problem area (Bingo Wings, double chin, saggy bum) and do them. Find relatively uncomplicated ones that you could do easily, nothing too hard-core. Or...
* ...buy a new (or dust off an old) exercise DVD and do it, promising faithfully to try to do it regularly
* Decide a way to lose weight long-term, whether that's a slimming class or doing a diet at home. see if any friends want to do it with you (without opening the conversation with, "Hey lardy!" naturally)
* Buy (or reclaim from loft) nice exercise clothes and trainers. Sports bras are vital
* Take DC out for bike ride, or for run around the park
* Anyone think of any others?

CLOTHES - 15-minute Beauty Chore list:

* Go through underwear drawer as if you were the person who had the tragic job of dressing you when you're dead. Chuck away any undies that you'd be ashamed to wear in your coffin
* Sort the remaining underwear into neat matching sets, tidied away properly
* Sort out your nightwear so you have nice things to wear in bed
* Go through your wardrobe ruthlessly. Sort into 5 piles: Sell; Give away; Mend; Store; Wear
* Then do what the labels say, and try to do it within a day or two or else you'll start putting it all back into your wardrobe
* Ask for one of those Colour Consultations for an upcoming birthday
* Sort accessories into easy storage - for example, belts coiled up in a basket, scarves hanging up in wardrobe, or whatever
* Organise your jewellery
* Ask close friends/DH what you look nicest in, and why
* eBay old stuff, and don't buy anything new until you have enough money to be able to book personal shopper at department store. everyone I know who's had this done says it's wonderful

"I've decided to weigh myself every morning. I read an article by a Doctor the other day that said weighing yourself daily is very effective in helping you lose weight/keep it off"

DO NOT WEIGHT YOURSELFS EVERYDAY. In fact don't weight yourselves at all just go from fit of clothes.

Hi womma, you are not too late at all. We've only just started. We are sort of following a FlyLady-type Beauty plan, where we fit 15-minute Beauty Chores into our day. Really, you can do anything as long as it's something that makes you better-looking!

Morning ladies! Hope you have woken up stunning. What are your Beauty-Goals for today?

I've decided to weigh myself every morning. I read an article by a Doctor the other day that said weighing yourself daily is very effective in helping you lose weight/keep it off. I know WW tell us not to, but I don't trust them at all with their "Woohoo! You have lost 0.7ounces this month!" nonsense.

I'm also going to dig out the £80 voucher for the local spa that DH gave me ages ago and book a couple of treatments. What do I want? Mani and pedi? Or a facial? Oooh... Maybe that body-wrap thing that makes you lose inches. I've done that before, it was great.

How about you lot?

Hello ladies, am I too late to join in as well? Feeling like a big lump, and DD is 9mo now so it's time to do something about it.

I will get some time to read the whole thread later today, and then get myself together and start byoodifying!

Hi BumpyBecky! Lovely to have you here. See, I'm here past 10pm too... Ooops. Slimming World sounds great. Will be joining you, in a way, as Scarsdale is similar, like lots of Red days.

Lilacclaire: you are so inspiring, with all your healthy foods. So good you're here. Hey, when I've done my week of teeth whitening I'll be able to smile like this

I just did shower/exfoliate; all-over body lotion; Keratase hair-treatment (will leave on overnight); vitamins; protect & Perfect serum, eye cream and Oil of Olay Total effects night cream, which is 310-off at Boots at moment and promises to be "tightening".

See you tomorrow, gorgeous ones.

Oh and can I recommend driclor, its a kind of anti persperant that stops you sweating altogether (under your arms anyway) if you suffer from sweaty pits.
I only need to use it once every couple of months now, you can get it out of any chemist.

Finishing off bookings for hols and then heading for a shower/facial routine thing based on whatever I discover in the cupboard.)

Today I managed to drink lots of water...but also ate really rich icecream with the kids earlier. Oh well. Did do some energetic tidying earlier though.

Im gonna get train to a wee town 6 miles away in morning, then walk back home (I do like walking). Fingers crossed for good weather!

Hope you have a good start to your day everyone - will be back on tomorrow evening

Im off to bed soon, stacked up with nice salad stuff, ryvita etc.
Think will just shower and body moisturise tonight and teeth whitening (unless I get lucky )

I'd like to join in too will ignore the fact I've failed at the first hurdle as I'm here past lights out!

before reading this thread I'd already started back on Slimming World plan as of today. I've got about 11lb to get back to my target weight and I'd like to get there, or somewhere near there by the end of term

better go and cleanse, tone moisturise now then

Shitfuckbollocks, still have done nothing. Slinking guiltily off to bed now, and picking nice outfit, while Lilacclaire swims Channel and eats 27 oranges.

See you tomorrow. Remember:

* Get 8 hours' sleep (if at all possible)
* Get 60 minutes' exercise
* Cleanse/tone/moisturize morning & evening
* Drink 4 glasses water
* Eat healthily with view to losing weight: IE, no snacks, lots of fruit/veg, nothing naughty like pastry, butter, crisps.
* Every day, do one 15-minute "beauty chore" from that week's list

xxx

Booyhoo: a real beauty therapist! <happy dance> Perfect. Please, please, please share your knowledge on this thread. Please. We need professional help! Any tips at all would be fabulous. Really.

Twelveyeargap (I hope that's not between haircuts): Welcome to our Makeover spa!

Getting up early is the secret. We need a mantra: "Early to bed and early to rise, Makes a Mumsnetter well-dressed, with thin thighs". I know that if I get up at 6.30am, I have enough time to shower, do face, syle hair and wear "nice" clothes not just (as you say) combats. and consequently, I feel so much better all day. Sadly, in reality, I've been leaping out of bed at 8am and spending the rest of the day looking hideous.
Anyway, jump aboard. Next stop, FoxyTown.

obviously CHILDREN and not hildren!!

Me! Me! <<raises hand eagerly>> I feel hideous as well.

Have been getting seriously fit for the last 6 months but am still at least 20lbs over-weight due to serious carb-addiction and complete inability to pass up cake (or indeed eat bread and jam when there is no cake on offer.) Have now injured my leg so running and boot camp are out the window. I seriously need to reduce my food intake as of two weeks ago, but have yet to start.

Was only just thinking I need to sort out my hair and get up earlier so I can be dressed and made up before the babies wake up, rather than scratching around at 9am for one of my many pairs of £10 Tesco combats because they're "comfy".

Another recruit boarding the train. Choo, choo!

Re the tanning; I can heartily recommend L'oreal Nutrisummer moisturiser. It comes in Fair or Medium (I have fair skin, but cheat and use the medium every few days instead of every day. You need to be more careful to apply evenly, though.) Also a face version with SPF15. It's non-stinky, non-streaky and not too yellow.

hair colour developing, just digesting entire threa, and i am ashamed to admit i trained as a beauty therapist and all this stuff used to be second nature to me but hildren have put paid to that and i have done the eyelashes at home aswell and they never go dark enough but im dark to start so not really surprised. right am off to bed before beautiful shouts at me for being up past ten. nite all, remember to set alarms for make up time in the morn.

Booyoo -- hello! Fabulous to have you here! Yes, you are so not alone. We are building a pack of Neglected Vixens who are ready to re-Vamp themselves. Hope your hair looks gorgeous.

I love how we're starting with hair stuff. It's definitely the fastest way to make yourself look better.

God, still have done nothing tonight excepot sit on arse, on internet. This is why I'm so fat!

Apparently, as well as being minging, yellowy teeth are very ageing. I've tried Crest whitestrips before and they were good, so have just ordered another load from eBay. You just put the film over your teeth for 20 minutes, twice a day. V easy.

beautiful have you been living in my head for the past few weeks?? i posted just the other day about how old and frumpy im feeling after giving birth at the end of may. OH is away with work til Noember and i was giving myself til the to totally revamp and start looking after myself. your 30 day plan is exactly what i need plus the knowledge that others are doing it too helps so much. I'M IN i bought a hair dye a few days ago as havent done it since last november, so am going now to do that. and then will come back and read properly your week by week plan. thank you thank you thank you!!!

DIET

If anyone wants to lose quite a lot of weight in a short time, I can recommend The Scarsdale Diet. I did it for 3 months and lost almost 3 stone which stayed off till I got pregnant.

I'd be so up for trying this again. I was just thinking about ways we could really transform ourselves in a month, and I think we have to go for "wow" changes. losing weight is obviously the biggest.

Also, has anyone (apart from Lilacclaire) tried dyeing their eyelashes at home? I am going to start doing this again. it's fantastic.

Eeek... Haven't moved from computer all evening. this is not beautifing!

Dear God, please let me grow out my fringe so I can have this haircut

I'm not qualified to advise on this stuff, I'm just trying to think of any beauty tip I've ever read and compile them in one place. Do feel free, please!, to add your own makeover-suggestions.

Right! I've booked haircut, so I'm officially off-th-hook today, beauty-wise. I'm going to follow a tip I read on MN and take make-up off now so I'm not too tired to do it later. Then I'm going to plan tomorrow's tea so it's not last-minute lard, choose clothes for tomorrow and get to bed by 10pm.

Yes, ProvincialLady! Hello! How terrifying to go on holiday with a model. Jesus.

MONTH OF BEAUTY MAKEOVER - WEEK 4: CLOTHES

Beauty Chores

* Go through underwear drawer as if you were the person who had the tragic job of dressing you when you're dead. Chuck away any undies that you'd be ashamed to wear in your coffin
* Sort the remaining underwear into neat matching sets, tidied away properly
* Sort out your nightwear so you have nice things to wear in bed
* Go through your wardrobe ruthlessly. Sort into 5 piles: Sell; Give away; Mend; Store; Wear
* Then do what the labels say, and try to do it within a day or two or else you'll start putting it all back into your wardrobe
* Ask for one of those Colour Consultations for an upcoming birthday
* Sort accessories into easy storage - for example, belts coiled up in a basket, scarves hanging up in wardrobe, or whatever
* Organise your jewellery
* Ask close friends/DH what you look nicest in, and why
* eBay old stuff, and don't buy anything new until you have enough money to be able to book personal shopper at department store. everyone I know who's had this done says it's wonderful

MONTH OF BEAUTY - WEEK THREE: BODY

Every day do your usual stuff:

* Get 8 hours' sleep (if at all possible)
* Get 60 minutes' exercise
* Cleanse/tone/moisturize morning & evening
* Drink 4 glasses water
* Eat healthily with view to losing weight: IE, no snacks, lots of fruit/veg, nothing naughty like pastry, butter, crisps.
* Every day, do one 15-minute "beauty chore" from that week's list

WEEK THREE'S BODY BEAUTY CHORES:

* Do 15 minutes' sit-ups
* Arrange something sporty, like regular swimming, tennis lessons, restarting gym membership, vowing to walk to school every day forever...
* Find exercises that target your problem area (Bingo Wings, double chin, saggy bum) and do them. Find relatively uncomplicated ones that you could do easily, nothing too hard-core. Or...
* ...buy a new (or dust off an old) exercise DVD and do it, promising faithfully to try to do it regularly
* Decide a way to lose weight long-term, whether that's a slimming class or doing a diet at home. see if any friends want to do it with you (without opening the conversation with, "Hey lardy!" naturally)
* Buy (or reclaim from loft) nice exercise clothes and trainers. Sports bras are vital
* Take DC out for bike ride, or for run around the park
* Anyone think of any others?

Can I join too please? Lord knows I could do with some beauty in my life at the moment. I have to go on holiday with my SIL in 3 weeks and she is a professional actress and a model Of course she doesn't have my personality disorder but I would like to look at least presentable by the time I go.

DS1 is in bed and DS2 (5m) will be asleep for half an hour before he wants feeding, so am off to do much needed toning exercises.

No way, I love stuff like this.
I've been my walk, just off to buy some salad!

OK girls, are you around? I hope you are all doing something Beautifying!

Lilacclaire - I am VERY impressed! Don't burn out though, will you? I'm picturing you dyeing your eyebrows while twirling around on your waist-whittler thing, bleach on your teeth, then trekking off on a five-mile hike, coming home, collapsing and saying, "Fook dat."

I think it all sounds fabulous though, and I'm delighted you're inspired. Heck, you are inspiring me!

i don't dry my hair

but i will make an effort this week and see what happens lol...

I tend to dry it perched on the end of the bed in front of the full length mirror. (no room for a dressing table even

How long do you rinse in cold water for? i've been doing about half a minute but maybe that's not enough, i don't know.

Oh and I tint my eyelashes at home as well, will up this to once a week/fortnight and keep on top of eyebrows!

Oh and have the stuff from dentist to whiten teeth already, haven't used for ages, will use tonight.

And have a twirly thing you stand on and twist to whittle your waist that I haven't used for ages, will do every night also.

Right, I got my hair done a couple of weeks ago, but am not good at washing it regularly (there is a reason for this) but will up it to twice a week, have lots of lovely products to put on hair.

I've booked my nails to be done tommorow, not everyones cup of tea (acrylics).

Will exfoliate and fake tan tonight.

Will go walk tonight after dinner (approx 3 miles).

Will set clothes out for tommorow.

Can't use face mask just now as am in the middle of ipl treatment to get rid of red thread veins (next treatment in a couple of weeks).

I usually buy fresh fruit/veg/salad every day but have been slipping lately, so will get back to that.

I have cut out alcohol and already my skin is improving through that (a couple of weeks teetotal now).

Phew!

Welcome, lemonmuffin, to the Glamourtron.

I think it did make my hair shinier, yes. I know what you mean, it's not dazzling, but anything that makes us focus on our looks is worth a go! This month is really just retraining ourselves to prioritize beauty again, after years of burying it under family responsiblities, or mild depression, or procrastination.

Where do you dry your hair?

this is really interesting stuff, i think I might have a go at joining you, the 15 minutes a day thing sounds achievable even for me!

And the hair station idea, i would love to do that but my bedroom is the size of a cupboard unfortunately.

that tip you mentioned about rinsing hair in cold water for shine, do you find that works for you, i've tried it before and it didn't seem to do anything, how long do you need to rinse for?

lol. i think if we're trying to remove/ bleach it, it can stay in week 2....

i'm not planning on getting a consultation for moustache or ladygarden... despite the fact that the salon also advertises 'creative brazilian' on a 'price to be agreed' basis...

School run now, but will come back to do Week 3 and 4 lists.

if anyone has ideas for Beauty chores, please post them and we can collaberate into final, final Makeover plan!

WEEK TWO: SKIN

15-minute Beauty Chore list:

* Pore-strip on nose and chin
* Face pack
* Wash make-up brushes
* Skin scrub -- mix handful of sugar with 1 tablespoon olive oil, scrub gently over face in circular motions. Apply hand-hot water to muslin cloth and place over face for 10 seconds, three times (like Eve Lom). Wash off oil, soak muslin cloth in cold water place over face for 10 seconds, pat dry
* Rub Vaseline into eyelashes before bed (to encourage growth)
* Exfoliate ENTIRE body
* Slather all of body in body-lotion, concentrating on elbows, knees and feet
* Apply fake tan
* Shave/wax/Epilate/whatever all hairy areas
* Trim lady-garden area!
* Book pedicure, or give self one
* Soak feet in warm water, then scrub heels and hard bits
* Give self manicure
* Put hand-cream on hands and feet, then go to bed wearing cotton gloves and socks
* Bleach or somehow remove/disguise facial hair (Note: Shit, should all hair-based things go in Week one? Arghhhh)

OK, will just do lists of daily chores and you can pick/choose what you want to do when!

OK, here are thoughts on finalized beauty plan.

BEAUTlFUL'S MONTH OF BEAUTY MAKEOVER REGIME

Every day:

* Get 8 hours' sleep (if at all possible)
* Get 60 minutes' exercise
* Cleanse/tone/moisturize morning & evening
* Drink 4 glasses water
* Eat healthily with view to losing weight: IE, no snacks, lots of fruit/veg, nothing naughty like pastry, butter, crisps.
* Every day, do one 15-minute "beauty chore" from that week's list

WEEK ONE: HAIR

15-minute Beauty chore list:

* Book cut/colour/consultation
* Deep-condition hair with special goop, or olive oil
* Wash brushes
* Buy new hair products, like mousse, Frizz-Ease, etc
* Look up hair-styling tips to suit your chosen style and try to do them (ie, using hot rollers, using straighteners to make curls, creating heavy fringe, etc)
* Set up hair-station in bedroom, so that you can do your hair easily without having to drag dryers out of attic, etc
* Ask friends' advice on new style
* Take vitamin B complex or eat Marmite to get added shine in hair
* Do cold-water rinse at end of wash, to flatten hair-cuticles and get added shine
* Try new style, for example put hair up in chignon

oh, oh, like doesn't flylady (it scares me so i don't) have a 'routine' thing running alongside the 'this week's specials' thingy?

i'd like <gets vote in quick>

a 15 minute task each day i think... but 3xweek skin (body) would help set up a sort of regime that i could keep to... focus on one area a week might mean i'd lose impetus on that area the next week... but a sort of 'theme' a week would be ok...

so, sort of both lol - a target zone for the week, but with a 15 minute task a day, but with 3 of those a week being skin based... for example?

am i making any sense at all?

I have no idea if we're doing week 2 skin, or 3x week skin! I have lost track and need managing. What would be best - weekly "target zones" like flyLady?

I was just thinking, as I did 15-minute blitz on kitchen, that it would be great if we did one 15-minute "beauty chore" every day. For example, a facepack, or an all-over exfoliation, or washing make-up brushes, hair-conditioner, blitzing make-up bag, skin-treatment (pore strip, etc).

As long as you spend 15 minutes a day doing something to improve how you look (and thereore, how you feel).

right, oh leader.

i've booked a hair consultation for next monday, but will at least spend this week conditioning and attempting to de-frizz what i've currently got... fortunately (for them) none of my friends have got hair like mine lol, but i'll try to canvas a bit of opinion on what to do with it now i'm not constrained by work i fear that accosting strange women in the street may lead to me being arrested under 'lucky heather?' type connotations... <with apols to any lucky heather sellers with gleaming neat tresses unlike mine - hideous stereotype - sorry!>

the same place as hair consultation also does make-up lessons

have got all manner of exfoliation type products gathering dust, and a nearly empty box of pore strips, so will stick some on shopping list over the next couple of days... have fake tan. can do water.

i don't think i can bear slimfast tbh i'll probably just stick to special k or somesuch in the morning with some fruit, and cut out snacks... if it isn't having the desired effect after the first week (ie scale visit less fraught) i'll rethink. <madwoman gets 'not team-player' title>

i'm happiest leaving clothes until last week - hopefully by then i'll be feeling more self-confident, if not skinny, and so will be able to reassess what i actually own in light of what i really look ike in it, rather than feeling generally lumpy and daggy...

have ordered on tinternet the only products that have ever stopped me from looking like a wash in chip fat (ironically, yes, an oil based product lol) but they might take 7-14 days to arrive... send 'faster' vibes please!

hmm, teeth whitening... <returns to pondering>

i'm still a bit confoozled though - are we doing 3xweekly skin thingy? or concentrated week2 skin thingy?
<easily confused emoticon>

Mousey, I'd get your Mum to buy you a haircut and colour for your birthday. That will immediately make you feel more "Oooh, check me!" which will affect the clothes you choose, how much you eat, and how you feel.

I wish I'd planned this out a bit before posting. Maybe we should break the month down into weeks? First week: hair. Cut, colour, conditioning, etc.

Second week: skin/make-up. Sorting out skin with treatments, buying new make-up, getting free lesson at counter.

Third week: body/massage/fake-tan/exfoliation, etc. Finding new sport we're into? Joining keep-fit class?

Fourth week: clothes. Clearing out old and treating selves to few new pieces.

Shit, I'm going to get so bogged-down in trying to work out best way to do this that I'll still be minging at the end of the month, but with a new, very complicated, Makeover Spreadsheet all printed out. <rubs temples wearily>

Oh, and we need to get 8 hours' sleep evey night. I'm going to shoot any of you who are Mumsnetting after 10pm.

OK, how can we lose a stone in a month? Shall we just do SlimFast for brakfast/lunch then have vegetable/salad-laden dinners, like grilled fish or meat? Or shall we vow to eat 6 pieces fruit/veg every day, thereby filling-up on good things instead of cake?

I have just given up sugar in coffee.

Im in too...but only til July 2nd cause Im going on hols! Which is great incentive to get a move on, really.

Just had dds father over for a weekend and he told me off for not making the most of myself.

I dont wear make up but my skin is dull and spotty
I havent had my hair cut in 11 months
Im slightly overweight
I wear comfy clothes, but I might dress up a bit more if I had more confidence.

Its my 25th bithday next Monday, and my mum asked last night what I wanted...been mulling over:

1) Hair cut and highlights
2) Eyebrows reshaped
3) Skin consultation (free but expected to buy products, Id imagine!)
4) Drink more water
5) Eat more veg and fruit
6) Few new clothes - capsule wardrobe stuff
7) Get back into walking with sleeping mindees in pram, and ease myself back into tae bo dvd.

Good luck to everyone joining in the challenge! Will be back for a nosey this evening, and read through the Glamour stuff

Do stop me if I get too carried away. i'm hopeless for launching myself into over-the-top time-consuming life-missions which I only do for two days.

Yay! More temptresses-in-training!

OK, you ALL have to do something hair-related today:

* Ideally, book a cut (I have just booked one for Wednesday, she said smugly);
* Or -- if you are lacking inspiration like lovely MadWomanInTheAttic, Google different hairstyles to see what you fancy. Or buy one of those dodgy hairstyle magazines in the newsagents;
* Apply a hair-conditioning treatment;
* Just wash it, if things are getting very bad and we're starting from scratch.

And we need to establish a FlyLady-type list of "daily beautifiers" which we can fit into our busy lives until they become habitual. I'm suggesting:

* Get up 15 mins' earlier to apply make-up in morning. MadWoman: you are let off this one, until you have taken your lovely self along to a local big Boots or department store and let a saleswoman give you a free make-up lesson. You can also look up make-up lessons on t'internet, there are LOTS on YouTube.

* Cleanse/tone/moisturise morning and night, NO EXCUSES. I've just splurged on no.7 Protect & Perfect range so will be smothering self in that. What are you going to use?

* Lay out nice clothes for next day every evening. This is ripped-off from FlyLady, I did it for a week and it was life-changing. Make it part of your routine -- doing it straight after kids go to bed seems to be best time.

* Drink 4 glasses of water every day.

* Incorporate 60 minutes' exercise into the day. I know, eek, but we've only got a month. This can be walking kids to school, plus exerise vid in evening, or three lots of 20 minutes' jogging round the house.

Later on, we can discuss the weekly ways of Nourishing Inner Temptresses.

Do you have facepacks, pore-strips and teeth-whiteners in the bathroom cabinet ready for later in the week? If not, get them in. Who can recommend any teeth-whiteners? Are the shop-bought ones any use, or do we have to spend £100 and get the kit from the dentist?

Im totally up for this as well, i need to lose just under a stone, fake tan, teeth whiter, hair back into good nick!

I've got all the stuff to do it, just not had much time until now (college finished woo woo).

Am 33 but feel 63 some days, so enough sleep also top of the agenda!

I am totally up for this ...

need to lose weight, sort out hair which is like frizzy cotton wool...new makeup.. get fit and then transoform wardrobe.. 30 days you say we need - I am IN!

Am checking out glamour and will read all posts..this sounds like a great idea...

The consultation would be good way of finding hairdresser that knows what they're talking about.

could you afford to spend quite a LOT on this transformation cut? By choosing either big local posh salon, or one of the ones in london like Trevor Sorbie, and paying £150-odd to get the top-person to do it?

find a friend with similar hair that looks fab, and ask where they go? That's what i'd do. i have also been known to corner people on the street and ask them which hairdresser they go to. they are always v friendly, flatered and helpful. Could you try that?

ok - how do you find a hairdresser (for a consultation lol) that you can trust?

having long frizzy/ curly witch type mop i have found a number of probelms with this... most of them look faintly horrified when i walk in, ignore what i say about it getting curlier when they dry it, and then looked even more shocked when they turn me into a poodle.

tis an ongoing theme in my quest for a hairdresser...

that looks good to start with.

have also been pondering eyebrows of late lol. are you spying on me?

lol beautiful - i did recognise you as that poster...

i'm definitely doing this for me lol - i'm sure dh is bound to benefit along the way as hopefully i won't be such a bad-tempered rat bag, but essentially this is to straighten out my self esteem lol!

so, the hair. wtf?

anyone got any ideas?

i can do exercise dvd. it's been waving at me from the shelf for about 2 weeks now - so that will be reasonably easy to dust off action.

Forget my last message -- I have recruits! Hurrah!

Yes, the Glamor thing requires registration but the ideas are only very general. how about I organise ideas into a 30-day format that we can all do?

Haircuts are ESSENTIAL to ensure maximum inner-tempress foxiness, I'd say. in fact, why don't we start at the top and work down?

Day 1: Book haircut 9or hair consultation [think thee are free]) if you don't know what to do. Apply deep-conditioning hair treatment tonight. Use a hair-pack if you have one, or olive oil applied to dry hair & wrapped in clingfilm for 3 minutes, then shampooed out.

Day 2: Sort eyebrows out. I'll find an online guide to tweezing like a pro.

Day 3: Pore-strips on nose, or just deep facepack.

Day 4: Ways to whiten teeth.

Does this work?

I can spell honest....seems I juct CANNOT type

I need to sort out my hair
I was dyed very blonde and then I decided tog deep violet which was lovely and I really liked it but the clue in the dye eventually wears out and leaves the red which on my very bleached hair now looks orangey pinky, red YUCK

I tried to bleach it again and it 'ttok' on the roots so I have dark brown roots, very bleached blode top bit and then icky skany pinky oprage
I want my blonde back

Help, is this another one of my Stepford Recruitment threads? We are not doing this to make our DHs leap on us, we are doing it to make ourselves feel better.

Okay, I've just booked a haircut for two weeks time.

I'm going to do an excercise DVD most nights.

Need to buy a semi hair dye later as my hair is a bit two tone a the mo.

Back later.

ok. me.

have been pondering this for some time, and have recently been motivated enough to start decluttering the house, (largely motivated by necessity) so now it must be my turn... had been pondering starting a few threads asking for advice on diff stuff on this theme, so why not?

i can't link to that glamour thing though - it wants me to log in.

a 30 day something or other sounds good though...

current thoughts - i've just left work as we are moving in august, and having had to keep my hair long to tie it up, for the first time since 1991 i can now do what i like with it - help! what can i do?! for the last 18 years i have been ruled by having to have it long enough to tie up?!

currently - i need to lose a stone and a half (but toning the flab would allow some sense of confidence to seep in lol). i am a whiter shade of pale (put self tan on once at half term, but then came down with noro and haven't done it since) and spend most of my life digging through the ironing pile/s for the only jeans i can get into...
38, 5'2'",

i have just had a tax refund so am reasonably solvent. i can do something but i don't know what...

i'm pondering about booking a make-up lesson (with who? help!) as at 38 i wear make-up, oooo, once a year? and every single time panic as i haven't a clue where to start... so i might need a bit of help before the getting up early to do make-up thing lol! am loving the idea of nourishing my Inner Temptress 3xweekly though - i think that would be brilliant for self-esteem ishoos too.

the hair is the key for me i suspect. think early celine dion in brunette with grey streaks (or the wicked witch of the north with frizz) and you'll be close-ish...

so, beautiful, you appear to be In Charge. my extreme makeover is down to you <foists blame onto someone else>

i have booked a shopping trip on 11 july. by then i need to feel good enough about myself to shop clever for some new wardrobe bits (and also to have mastered the whole hair saga...) lots of the stuff i have now is pretty good tbh - it just doesn't get worn as i'm always two steps behind where i need to be - i need to get it together and organise the laundry situation so my clothes are flat rather than somewhere in a basket...

where to start?

Anyone else feeing hideous? I know it's bad to wish a feeling of fugliness on anyone, but I can't be the only person on MN who feels "bleurgh", can I?

I just signed up for the Glamor Makeover thing, and basically it gives you 30 tips to improve your appearance, from eyebrow shaping, to exercises to tone your tummy, mistake-proofing your wardrobe, and even (Trinity) ways to train your brain to feel happier.

profess?? progress

Yes, the Before and after pictures are a bad idea, let's not do that. But we'll need to definitely post updates on what we're doing.

I've battled with clinical depression for years, and I know the dressing-gown syndrome. but even though this is rather lightweight and fluffy, I do think that working on how we look will lift our spirits in a very positive way.

I was just googling "makeovers" and found this section on Glamor.com which gives you a 30-day makeover to do. Does this seem the right type of thing? If not, we could collate our best tips and write them here. Things to do once a week, every day, etc.

I hope I'm making sense... this is very much still an idea-in-profress.

I would like to
but I dont want to post before or after pictures to keep my anonymity

I am a long term depressive having trouble showering and brushing teeth, hair, let alone beauty therapies

No, not literally, we won't be doing our own liposuction with straws, or posting messages like, "Keen sewers: I was trying to give myself a lower-body lift but can't reach to sew up the back", or anything.

But does anyone else feel hideous? I do and I'm sure it's at the root of almost all my problems (low self-esteem being the main one).

I need to diet, get hair cut, sort out flattering clothes and ditch fugly stuff, stop biting my nails!, get pedicure, keep up to date on fake-tanning... all that.

Does anyone want to join in? If we were very brave we could post "Before" photos in our profiles then invent a month-long makeover plan, then do "After" pictures, but that might be a bit scary.

We need to ge up earlier and prioritise doing our make-up! And do a beauty treatment three times a week (body scrub, face pack, hair conditioning treatment, etc) just to nourish our Inner Temptresses.

I know it's non-PC to long to look gorgeous, but I'm fed up looking fat and frumpy and desperately need to reinvent myself! am i alone in feeling like this?

I know the awful irony of having a vain log-in name and posting this message, btw.